PhD Studentship - Systematic Investigation of Pyrolysis Process and Products for Sustainable Biochar Production

Award summary

100% fees (UK home only), a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate), and a research training support grant of £20,000. 

Overview

Circular Carbon is one of the largest producers of biochar (ca 3000t/a) in Europe to date, with an industrial facility recovering agricultural residues from the global market leader in cocoa butter production (Barry Callebaut). Circular Carbon currently uses pyrolysis, a thermochemical conversion technology, for biochar production and currently uses the gaseous product of pyrolysis for renewable pyrolysis steam production. While currently successful, the increasing demand for biochar and its by-products in high-value applications necessitates a thorough examination of the existing process and products to optimize efficiency and enhance overall performance.

This PhD project aims to systematically investigate and enhance the pyrolysis process of crop waste, focusing on improving efficiency and product quality. The research will cover various aspects of the process, including exploring the entire operational range across different production scales to minimize environmental impact and production costs. Additionally, the study will assess potential revenue streams for Circular Carbon by analysing advanced application scenarios for the solid, liquid, and gaseous by-products of pyrolysis. These analyses will be based on process and product characterisation, comprehensive life cycle and techno-economic assessments to align with evolving market trends and client needs, as well as to support biochar-based carbon dioxide removal initiatives. 

Number of awards: 1

Start date: 15th September 2025

Award duration: 4 years

Sponsor: Circular Carbon

Supervisors: Dr. Anjali Jayakumar

Eligibility criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (usually chemical engineering or chemistry, but please get in touch if you think your qualification may be relevant). Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements.

This studentship is available to home students only

How to apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal. Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:

• Search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8856F
• Leave the 'Research Area' field blank
• Select ‘PhD in Process Industries; Net Zero (PINZ’) as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form
• The studentship code PINZ10-25 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field
• ‘Research Proposal’ - when prompted for how you are providing your research proposal –select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal.

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.

Contact details: pinz.cdt@ncl.ac.uk

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