Economic removal of zinc from scrap steel

*This is a KESS 2 East scholarship opportunity. Please note the eligibility information in the advert text or contact the team for further information.*

Here is an exciting opportunity to create and study a novel zinc recovery process which could lead to entirely new approaches in steelmaking and scrap metal treatment.

The selected candidate will apply their practical and problem-solving skills and ambition to investigate efficient removal and recovery of zinc from scrap metal using novel electrochemical systems. This will allow the student to develop transferable knowledge and skills in this most exciting and active field of electrochemistry research.

This Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship (KESS) project will be held in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science at the University of South Wales. KESS is a programme funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) awarded by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) in the Welsh Government. The project will focus on energy and environmental resource management, since these have been identified as key areas to the economy and people of the East Wales region.

The project is backed by Tata Steel UK Ltd., who are one of the world’s most innovative steel making companies. The successful candidate will work closely with process advisors from Tata Steel’s Port Talbot works and will join an existing group of KESS PhD students within the Sustainable Environment Research Centre, working on related innovative PhD projects sponsored by Tata Steel.

Programme of research:

The widespread zinc coating of steel to provide corrosion protection has led to a shortage of zinc-free, non-alloyed steel scrap, which is more easily recycled than zinc-containing steel scrap. Additionally, demand for metallic zinc is increasing at a rate such that up to 3 times more zinc will be required by 2050. Economic removal of zinc from steel scrap has both financial and environmental benefits since it allows the zinc content and the iron to be recycled, reducing the need for the mining of ores of both iron and zinc.

The most commonly used procedures for de-zincing of steel scrap involve leaching the zinc-coated steel in sulphuric acid to produce zinc (II) sulphate, or alkali to produce zinc (II) hydroxide or bromine to produce zinc bromide. USW research has previously studied the use of the zinc ion separation technology based on bioelectrochemical systems. In this project, novel and innovative electrochemical methods for zinc removal from steel scrap will be investigated.

Studentship:
The studentship will cover the fees for a full-time PhD programme and pay a stipend of circa £14k p.a. There is also around £9k project support costs available for consumables, travel, minor equipment, training (including the KESS Grad School) and conference attendance.

The position is available from 1st April 2019.

Eligibility of Student:
To be eligible to hold a KESS studentship, you must:
• have a home address in East Wales area (details below)* at the time of registration.
• have the right to take up paid work in the East Wales area* on completion of the scholarship.
• be classified by the University as ‘home’ or ‘EU’ for tuition fees purposes according to the University’s guidelines.
• satisfy University of South Wales’s admissions criteria: see below, qualifications and experience and application process

* East Wales area covers: Vale of Glamorgan / Cardiff / Newport / Monmouthshire / Powys / Wrexham / Flintshire

Qualifications and experience:
Eligible applicants will:

• Have a degree (2i or higher) in an appropriate chemical science discipline
• Possess a reasonable understanding of advanced materials and electrochemistry
• Be highly self-motivated, with capacity to learn and develop practical and analytical techniques
• Have well-developed and positively collaborative interpersonal skills
• Have an ability to deliver technical reports and communicate findings
• Be willing to travel and work in industrial settings

Application Process:

To download an application package, please visit: http://gro.southwales.ac.uk/studentships/KESSII/participant/

For any queries on eligibility, please contact: KESS Team at Research and Innovation Services, University of South Wales: [Email Address Removed] Tel: 01443 482578

For informal enquiries or further programme information, please contact: Dr Christian Laycock ([Email Address Removed]).

Further information at:
http://staff.southwales.ac.uk/users/4168-claycock