Microbubble and bubble-less methods for aqueous gas-liquid phase mass transfer

Inefficient gas-liquid transfer is causing high energy costs for many industries. Particularly, it is a limiting factor during water treatment. In our research groups we are currently investigating new ways of gas-transfer into water by using microbubble and diffusion-based methods without bubble formation. Research aims to further characterise bubble sizes, size distributions and lifetimes of different gases (i.e. air, ozone and carbon dioxide) under different flow conditions and to compare mass-transfer efficiency of the microbubble system with conventional diffusor methods. Furthermore, the goal is investigate diffusion of ozone and potentially other gases through non-porous hollow fibre membranes under co-, counter- and cross-flow conditions by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling. Therefore, this research may comprise both experimental and computational modules.

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD-student with an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Material/Physical Science or related disciplines to fundamentally investigate innovative approaches of gas infusion into water.
Applicants should bring ability for practical lab work and passion for computer modelling.
In case of interest please do not hesitate to contact project supervisors.