Molecular engineering and design of CO2 sorbents for air capture

The scientific and engineering communities have dedicated significant efforts towards identifying technologies to capture CO2 from large emitters, i.e. power plants, cement and steel industries. It is increasingly clearer that reducing emissions is not enough and that efforts should also be directed towards actively removing CO2 from the atmosphere, a process called direct air capture (DAC). Yet, the isolation of CO2 from ultradilute conditions (∼400 ppm today) remains a great challenge – one that only a few separation technologies might meet. Today, DAC activities are limited to a couple of start-ups, with technologies/adsorbents that are far from optimal and the scope for improvement is large. We propose to tackle this problem by developing predictive modelling tools for gas separation that will specifically focus on DAC and allow the screening of many possible CO2 adsorbents. This work will accelerate the identification of promising CO2 adsorbents and adsorption processes for DAC, contributing to de-risking and scale-up potential.

This PhD project will primarily focus on the development of predictive mathematical models of a DAC adsorber to assist with the design and operation of a lab-scale DAC unit. So-called short-cut, equilibrium-base models will be deployed for initial screening, while process design will be conducted by means of detailed numerical modelling of the DAC unit that accounts for mass and heat transfer effects, pressure-drop and mechanical dispersion. Where needed experimental measurements of fundamental equilibrium and kinetic adsorption data for relevant solid sorbents will be obtained, with focus on humid conditions.

The PhD scholarship is available from January 1st 2021 for a period of 3.5 years. The scholarship is open to all applicants regardless of their fee status, and covers stipend, tuition fees and incidental costs. They should hold or expect to obtain a First-Class Honours or a high 2:1 degree at Master’s level (or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, another branch of engineering or a related science. The post is based in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London (South Kensington Campus). Informal enquiries about the post and the application process can be made to Dr Camille Petit ([Email Address Removed]) by including a motivation letter and CV.