Engineering crystal growth during monoethylene glycol reclamation

Monoethylene glycol (MEG) is a long name for a small molecule which is most commonly encountered as antifreeze in cars. It also plays a critical role in the transport of gas along subsea pipelines. It prevents pipeline blockages from the formation of particles called hydrates which form at the pipeline high pressures and cool temperatures. This project will help improve new technology to reclaim the MEG at the end of the pipeline for reuse, which is desirable both economically and environmentally.

Cameron have invested £1m in a pilot plant at The University of Manchester to study a particularly challenging aspect of the MEG reclamation - the removal of salts which enter the pipeline with water from he gas wells. The scale of the challenge is significant. For example, the Bacton Gas Terminal in Norfolk is one of the UK's three major subsea pipeline terminals for North Sea gas and produces around 60 tonnes of salt per week from MEG reclamation. This PhD project is supported by the EPSRC and Cameron to study the dynamics of crystal growth (such as sodium chloride, calcium carbonate and other from the formation water) in their novel PureMEG separation technology.

The work will be largely experimental and lab and pilot hall based. The fundamental crystal phase behaviour in mixed MEG/water solvents will be investigated. Crystal growth will be studied in the lab along with studies based on the pilot plant. The lab and pilot scale studies will combine to deliver new insights into the process dynamics and lead to engineering models.

The studentship will be jointly supervised by Dr Peter Martin and Prof Roger Davey. Work will be conducted within both of their groups giving access to excellent facilities in both multiphase processing and crystallography.

For more information about the Multiphase Processing Group and publications see; http://personalpages.manchester.ac.uk/staff/p.martin/default.php

For informal enquires about the project please contact
Name: Peter Martin
Email: [Email Address Removed]
Tel: +44 (0)161 306 4388

For general information regarding the School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, please visit our web site www.ceas.manchester.ac.uk.

For general admissions enquiries: Postgraduate Team, School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science
Email: [Email Address Removed]
Tel: +44 (0)161 306 4360

To apply: Please complete an online application form at www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/howtoapply