Phd Position in Electrified upgrading of biogas via plasma technologies

Valorisation efforts of biogas, the product of biomass anaerobic digestion, have intensified due to a global rise in the implementation of waste management technologies. Dry reforming allows for simultaneous conversion of the main components in biogas (primary greenhouse gases CH4 and CO2) towards syngas (H2 and CO mixture), the latter either purified as clean hydrogen or upgraded to biofuels.

This project will investigate the production of bio-based hydrogen through plasma-catalytic dry reforming of biogas. Plasma-catalysis, enabling the activation of highly stable molecules like CH4 and CO2 even at ambient conditions, can drive the electrification and enhance the sustainability of dry reforming (replacing the need for thermal energy supply, typically applied in the chemicals industry). With almost instantaneous transient response and inherent modularity, plasma-catalysis is particularly suited for the use of electricity from fluctuating renewable resources [1].

Plasma reactors have typically operated in industry in a thermal regime, resulting in very high capital costs due to the high temperatures reached and expensive materials used [2]. To reduce these costs, in this project we will operate the plasma under non-thermal conditions at temperatures that in cases are as low as ambient. Plasma-catalysis systems are highly complex though, with the plasma affecting the catalyst and vice versa [3]. The catalyst can be responsible for local field enhancement and surface discharge formation, while the plasma can increase the adsorption probability of species [4] and modify the catalyst surface area and functionality [5].

This project aims to pursue the following objectives to pave the way towards efficient and distributed implementation of biogas upgrading:

• Identification of optimal active metal phase and catalyst support combinations: Bimetallic catalysts of transition and noble metals and supports of high reducibility and of appropriate permittivity will be targeted to achieve formulations of high activity, selectivity, and stability at low-cost and minimal impact to the electrical properties of the plasma [6].

• Investigation of alternative plasma generation modes: High-voltage AC excitation, typically used in Dielectric Barrier Discharge plasma-catalysis reactors, and nanosecond pulsed excitation operated in spark or DBD mode, will be compared in terms of obtained activity and energy efficiency to identify optimal discharge regimes and guide reactor design.

A range of electrical and optical plasma diagnostics, in combination with catalyst testing and characterization techniques will be used to achieve the project objectives and elucidate on the fundamental plasma-chemistry and catalyst activity relationships.

The studentship forms part of wider research in our School in the field of plasma-catalysis and will greatly benefit from and contribute to these efforts. In collaboration with the Process Intensification Group (http://pig.ncl.ac.uk/), the student will further have the opportunity to spent time at Newcastle University and benefit from the group’s extensive activities in the field of chemical processes intensification. The excellent research facilities and world-class expertise at both institutions will provide a very attractive opportunity for a highly motivated PhD student looking to progress a career in the exciting field of plasma-catalytic reaction engineering that has potential to revolutionize the chemicals processing industry.

The start date is to be agreed with the supervisor but must be no later than January 2025