Postdoc positions in Manufacture of Ceramic Membranes

Ultrafiltration membranes for water treatment. The phase-out of coal as the fuel in power generation will cause an increase in the use of biomass in co-generation power plants. The flue gas from the combustion will contain some heavy metals. The EU industrial emissions directive requires power plants to invest in technologies that increase the efficiency of the plants with particular emphasis on flue gas condensation, as it enhances efficiency and reduces the emission of pollutants such as soot and heavy metals. The associated environmental issues with these pollutants demand the purification of the condensate before their release/reuse. To reach the required purity one needs to use the reverse osmosis (RO) process. For an efficient and economic RO purification process, a prior ultrafiltration (UF) step is required for safe re-use of the water. Thus, the development of ultrafiltration solutions play a key role in the purification of condensate.

Together with an industry, we have recently won support, from the Danish Environment Protection Agency, for development of such Ultra Filtration membranes for wastewater treatment. The project addresses manufacture of UF membranes using optimized ceramic processing methods like extrusion and dip coating. The optimization involves slurry/paste formulation enabling co-sintering. Pastes will be characterised with respect to rheological behaviour and the finished membranes with respect to structural and chemical stability.

Electrochemical gas separation membranes. For the synthesis of ammonia, which is an important chemical for fertilizers and a potential green fuel for maritime transport, one needs a pure reactant stream of Nitrogen. This can be realised by electrochemically pumping out the oxygen from air – resulting in a stream of pure Nitrogen and a stream of pure Oxygen. The oxygen may advantageously be used for gasification of biomass or in oxy-combustion schemes where carbon capture is desired. Hence, such separation devices may have several uses.

Within the framework of a Horizon2020 EU project, we are trying to develop such separation devices. They are based on ionic conductors like Cerium oxide and are manufactured by tape casting. Suitable electrodes must be applied e.g. by screen-printing on both surfaces to provide electrical contact and to catalyse the process. The project targets to prove the concept by manufacturing and successfully testing such a device.

‍For these two projects we need a new postdoc. You will be working in a team of researchers from DTU and partners collaborating in the project to realise the targeted components and materials improvements. The team will include development engineers, lab technicians and experienced researchers. Tasks will involve formulation of stable slurries and pastes, component manufacture, physical, structural and chemical characterisation.

‍The main activity will take place at the Department of Energy Conversion and Storage at DTU Lyngby campus and you will be a part of the research section; “Solid State Chemistry”.

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