This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the University of Bath URSA competition. Please see the URSA webpage for more information.
Project
Carbon capture, biogas upgrading, and hydrogen production are key processes for the successful decarbonization of transport, industry, and heating – strategic areas to achieve the envisioned net zero target. The success of these strategies relies on the sustainable, economic, and efficient separation of gases. Membranes are considered the most sustainable separation method, especially when compared to conventional thermal-based separation processes. Nonetheless, the deployment of this technology requires optimizing the membrane material, membrane configuration, module, and modus operandi, all of which depend on the application, which often present differences in gas composition, throughput, process conditions, and separation targets.
Leveraging advances in materials informatics and process engineering, this project will develop a digital manufacturing platform that allows designing gas separation membranes and modules. The Centre for Advanced Separations Engineering (CASE) has demonstrated extensive experience in developing membranes for gas separation1-2, and building on this established framework, this PhD project will aid at bridging the gap between materials discovery and product development. This project contains aspects of Chemical Process Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Polymer Chemistry. Moreover, we envision, that this project will encompass the following activities:
- Implement materials informatics to predict the gas permeability of dense polymeric membrane. In this task, we will develop structure-to-property relationships to digitalize the properties of different materials.
- Generate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to assess the performance for various membrane module designs (e.g., purity, throughput, pressure drop and recovery).
- Integrate materials informatics with process engineering to design membrane modules applied for a case study - carbon capture.
- 3D print module designs to experimentally verify the predictive performance of the models. Gas permeation tests for mixed gases will be conducted at CASE’s facilities.
Candidate Requirements
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second Class Honours degree (or the equivalent). A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.
Non-UK applicants must meet our English language entry requirement.
Enquiries and Applications
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Bernardo Castro Dominguez - [Email Address Removed]
Formal applications should be made via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Chemical Engineering
When completing the form, please identify your application as being for the URSA studentship competition in Section 3 Finance (question 2) and quote the project title and lead supervisor’s name in the ‘Your research interests’ section.
More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.
Funding Eligibility
To be eligible for funding, you must qualify as a Home student. The eligibility criteria for Home fee status are detailed and too complex to be summarised here in full; however, as a general guide, the following applicants will normally qualify subject to meeting residency requirements: UK nationals (living in the UK or EEA/Switzerland), Irish nationals (living in the UK or EEA/Switzerland), those with Indefinite Leave to Remain and EU nationals with pre-settled or settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme). This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Additional information may be found on our fee status guidance webpage, on the GOV.UK website and on the UKCISA website.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.
If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.
Keywords
Aerospace Engineering; Artificial Intelligence; Chemical Engineering; Data Science; Energy Technologies; Gas Engineering; Machine Learning; Manufacturing Engineering; Nanotechnology; Polymer Chemistry
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