A RESEARCHER POSITION (f/m/x) ON CARBON CAPTURE
Votre mission
Context:
The work will be carried out at the Faculty of Engineering (FPMs) of UMONS (Belgium) in the framework of several research projects currently in progress on the thematic of carbon capture. Indeed, reducing the CO2 emissions from different industries (e.g. lime plants, cement plants, waste-to-energy plants, …CO2 contents from 5% to 30%) is absolutely mandatory to meet the objectives in terms of greenhouse gas effect limitation. Implementing carbon-negative solutions is also a necessity as several sectors (e.g. aviation) will still have “unavoidable CO2 emissions” for several years. Such operation is possible thanks to the Direct Air Capture (DAC) of CO2 (CO2 content around 0.04%). Among the different technologies that exist to capture CO2, the present position is focused on the absorption-regeneration CO2 capture process.
More precisely, the core of the absorption-regeneration CO2 capture technology is the solvent (mainly, but not limited to, amine(s)-based) requiring a large amount of thermal energy for the solvent regeneration step. More efficient solvents than the conventional one (monoethanolamine MEA) are already used (e.g. activated blends) but investigating new solvents is still mandatory in order to reduce the process energy consumption, but also to limit the degradation phenomenon (e.g. emissions of residual compounds such as nitrosamines to the atmosphere).
Area of the proposed research:
For reaching these objectives, the projects currently in progress include the following tasks:
- updated technological reviews on absorption-based carbon capture systems and especially on the innovative solvents (amino acid salts, ionic liquids, water-lean absorbents, biphasic solvents, porous liquids, etc.);
- separate lab-scale absorption and desorption tests with conventional amine(s)-based solvents (for comparison purposes) and selected promising solvents, for different CO2 contents in the inlet gas. Depending on the available data on the solvents, absorption and desorption kinetics/apparent parameters will be determined;
- micro-pilot scale absorption-desorption tests with the most performant promising solvents are also envisaged;
- some simulations (mainly using Aspen Plus, or any needed software) are envisaged, both of micro-pilot tests and/or real case studies;
- process optimization works (e.g. heat integration possibilities with other existing plants or exothermal CO2 conversion processes) and generation of energetic, exergetic, environmental (via LCA – Life Cycle Assessment) and techno-economic indicators.
The precise tasks performed by the Researcher will be defined among this list depending on the Researcher’s profile and interest. Contributing to projects on other carbon capture-purification technologies is also possible.
The Researcher works will also naturally include different dissemination activities: reporting, scientific publications and presentations in international conferences.
During the works, several exchanges will be necessary with internal collaborators (PhD students or post-docs working on fundamental and industrial subjects related to CO2 capture and conversion) and also with external collaborators such as other universities or research organisms, industrials, technology providers, etc.
Votre profil
Education: Candidates must hold a Master or PhD degree in Chemical engineering/Chemistry/Engineering Sciences or fields (such as industrial chemistry, mechanical/ environmental engineering, …) with a strong interest in chemistry, energy, process engineering and optimization. Any previous experience in relation with carbon capture, especially by absorption, would be an asset.
Languages: A good knowledge of English is required, both oral and written; a knowledge of French would be an asset.
Other skills: Any experience related to absorption/regeneration tests and amine(s)-based solvents and/or interest and experience with simulation/modeling tools (such as Aspen Plus/Hysys, gPROMS) is an asset. Writing skills, good interpersonal and communication skills, rigor and conciseness will be highly appreciated.
The candidate will be hosted in a nice working environment under a challenging job at a dynamic and ambitious University, and in a context with several other PhD students/Post-docs working on carbon capture and utilization. Salaries are in accordance with the internal University agreement.
The Researcher is expected to start as soon as possible in 2025 (no later than 1st of June 2025) for a duration of 12 to 15 months depending on the starting date.
Notre offre
Intéressé(e) ?
Applications (CV + motivation letter showing the adequacy with the requested profile + eventual letters of recommendation) should be sent by email to both:
Prof. Diane THOMAS: diane.thomas@umons.ac.be ; +32(0)65/37.44.04
Dr Lionel DUBOIS: lionel.dubois@umons.ac.be ; +32(0)65/37.50.54
Chemical & Biochemical Process Engineering Unit
Faculty of Engineering – University of Mons (UMONS)
20, Place du Parc
7000 Mons – Belgium
After a first selection based on the CV, the recruitment procedure will include minimum two interviews comprising a first remote interview by Microsoft Teams, and a second interview (in live or remotely) including a short presentation by the candidate.
Please note that due to the number of applications received, answering to each application will not be possible. If you do not receive feedback in the 30 days following your application, please consider that your profile was not selected for the next recruitment step.
UMONS aims to be a diverse and inclusive community. Job vacancies respect the principle of non-discrimination and the recruitment procedure guarantees fair treatment of applications regardless of the gender, presumed race or ethnic origin, social origin, religion or beliefs, disability, age, sexual orientation or political opinions of applicants.