Job description

The EngD programme is a 2-year post-MSc technological programme with a focus on technological design. This programme contains an educational part that will be followed at the University of Twente, and a design project that will be carried out in cooperation with consortium of companies (HoSt FT, HVC and Bio-energie Andijk) gathered under the BALANS project funded by RVO HER+ subsidy. The educational programme will have an in-depth and broadening character with ample attention for professional development and will be partly tailored to the design project.

Project description

In the Netherlands large quantities of complex non-woody combustible biomass are still not utilized for power and heat generation. One of the best opportunities to utilize the potential is efficient and low emission combustion in modern energy plants like Bio-energiecentrale Andijk. However, the physico-chemical properties of the biomass mix, make it very challenging for the energy plant. A low temperature melting point of the ashes leads to agglomeration and blockage at the grate, whereas evaporated sodium and potassium salts present in the fuel, after condensation in the downstream installed afterburning chamber and boiler may lead to fouling and corrosion. As a consequence the combustion process of such complex biomass (even when mixed with the regular biomass) is characterised by high investment and maintenance costs, low energy efficiency and low plant availability.

The goal of this task is production of the renewable electricity and heat by a development and design of an economically attractive gasification and combustion technology in a grate furnace that can utilize the full potential of the complex non-woody biomass waste stream. This development should be able to realize low temperatures in the gasification zone by recirculation of flue gas under the grate and separation after combustion zone and assure the required retention time of 2 seconds at minimum temperature of 850 degC. The task demands from EngD candidate a modelling and design processes which occur on a grate, in the furnace and in the boiler, with focus on modelling of gasification process for various biomass streams including flue gas recirculation to assure optimal oxygen supply (Matlab based) and extension of the available at the University of Twente CFD combustion model (Euler-Lagrange) to account for the complex biomass streams (Ansys Fluent and/or OpenFOAM) and design optimum conditions for complex biomass combustion (including mixing with woody biomass).

• We are searching for the best MSc graduated in the field of Thermal Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, Chemical Engineering, Energy Technology, Mechanical Engineering or related discipline with a demonstrable affinity with design and multidisciplinary assignments.
• You can work in a team;
• Have good communication skills;
• Have a sound project approach;
• Speak and write fluent English;
• You must have the ambition and talent to accelerate in finding solutions / creating designs for complex technological issues with a multidisciplinary character;
• Since a major part of the project will be executed using numerical tools, the former experience with CFD is a must. Previous international mobility and an expertise in biomass combustion are welcome. An interview will be part of the selection procedure.

• A very challenging position in an inspiring multidisciplinary environment;
• A tailor-made post-master design program that has an educational component (~50%) as well as a design project (~50%);
• On successfully completing the program, you will receive a certified and recognized degree. You will be entitled to use the academic degree PDEng and will be registered as a Technological Designer in the Dutch register kept by the Royal Institution of Engineers in the Netherlands (KIVI). The degree will soon be renamed to EngD (Doctor of Engineering), to be coherent with the more common abbreviation used in the Commonwealth;
• A salary of € 2.089,- gross per month;
• An annual holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and an annual year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• A solid pension scheme;
• Minimum of 29 leave days in case of full-time employment.