Project description

Established in February 2022, Dimeta is a joint venture between SHV Energy and UGI International, set up to advance the production and use of renewable and recycled carbon Dimethyl Ether (DME), a low-carbon sustainable liquid gas, to accelerate the LPG Industry’s transition to Net Zero. DME is an attractive blending fuel for the LPG industry as it can be efficiently produced from sustainable feedstocks and can achieve low carbon intensity.

Fundamental understanding of combustion characteristics of DME from experimental data, is crucial for realizing the full potential of DME as a clean and sustainable fuel. More specifically, flame behavior under variable operating conditions, emission and clean burning features, and safety aspects in terms of flame stability and loss on ignition need to be fully investigated for various burner design configurations for DME/LPG and DME fuels in order for industry to realize the potential benefits of DME as a sustainable fuel.

In this collaborative position between Dimeta and the University of Twente, our objective is to work together with the application of cutting-edge technologies to tackle the abovementioned challenges and pave the way for the optimal utilization of DME as a clean and sustainable fuel.

This EngD assignment aims to systematically optimize combustion properties of renewable and recycled carbon Dimethyl Ether (rDME) and rDME/LPG blends. The focus is on flame behavior, optimization of the combustion process, and identifying operating conditions that may lead to undesirable behavior. Experimental test-rigs developed at the Group of Thermal Engineering at the University of Twente will be utilized and supported by the numerical modeling, to provide the necessary data. The study aims to describe flame characteristics, determine the optimum blend ratio in terms of safe operating conditions and energy efficiency, and evaluate potential emission reductions compared to LPG as benchmark.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct experimental studies to assess the combustion properties and optimize the combustion process of renewable and recycled carbon Dimethyl Ether (rDME) and rDME/LPG blends.
• Utilize experimental methods to investigate flame behavior and optimize the combustion process parameters.
• Analyze the impact of fuel/air ratios, premixed conditions, and blend ratios on flame characteristics, combustion products, and potential emission reduction.
• Conduct design and optimization studies to specify the optimum blend ratio in terms of safety, energy per unit volume, and emissions reduction compared to reference cases.
• Develop a CFD model and validate it against selected experimental data.

• You are an outstanding MSc graduated in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with a focus on combustion.
• Strong background and experience in combustion research, including experimental techniques and computer modeling (CFD).
• Proficiency in analyzing combustion characteristics, flame behavior, and combustion product analysis.
• Familiarity with renewable fuels, particularly Dimethyl Ether (DME) and LPG blends, is highly.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research environment.
• Strong communication skills to effectively present research findings and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams.
• Fluently in spoken and written English.

• We offer a very challenging position for two years in an inspiring multidisciplinary and international environment;
• A salary of € 2.618 gross per month;
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• Solid pension scheme;
• Minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment;
• A tailor-made post-master design program that has an educational component (~50%) as well as a design project (~50%);
• On completing the program, you will receive a certified degree. You will be entitled to use the academic degree EngD and will be registered as a Technological Designer in the Dutch register kept by the Royal Institution of Engineers in the Netherlands (KIVI).