PhD student in Chemical Engineering at Tech. U. of Denmark

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From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>

Originally From: Ioannis V. Skiadas <ivs@biocentrum.dtu.dk>

Ph.D. student wanted in the area of "Optimization of Anaerobic Biogas Processes" at the Technical University of Denmark.

The Computer Aided Process Engineering Center (CAPEC) ( http://www.capec.kt.dtu.dk/main/default.htm ) located at the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) offers a position for a Ph.D. student.

Research subject: Recent developments in computer science and technology help the scientists to solve more challenging problems through the use of appropriate computer aided tools. At CAPEC, Integrated Computer Aided System, ICAS, has been developed to meet the present and future challenges in modeling, design and analysis. The MoT (Modeling Toolbox) is one of the toolboxes, which is available as part of ICAS. It is an equation based modeling /simulation tool and consists of algebraic equation solvers, numerical integrators and optimizers. The current version of MoT can handle effectively algebraic and ordinary differential equation systems. The use of the MoT makes the simulation of a process possible without the user having to write any source code thereby, saving valuable time for the user. That is, MoT generates the code for the model and adds it to the model library in ICAS so that it is available for all other tools and application that may need it. The system of algebraic and ordinary differential equations that describes the process is initially built and tested with the MoT and is subsequently implemented in ICAS. The advantage of the combination of the MoT and ICAS is that different models and/or process configurations can be simulated very easily and quickly.

The research work aims at: a) the further development and improvement of the MoT and b) the use of MoT in ICAS for the modeling and optimization of anaerobic digestion of wastes/wastewater. Anaerobic kinetic experiments will be carried out in order to estimate the kinetic parameters of the organic substrate biodegradation. The kinetics will be used for the development of mathematical models capable to predict the performance of the anaerobic digestion process as a function of the operational parameters. Using the ICAS, the validated kinetic models will be integrated into the reactor models for simulation studies. Analysis of the simulation results will help to plan experiments, to identify process/operational sensitivities and to formulate the control/optimization problems related to the process. The solution of the optimization problem will provide the optimum process selection and design of the anaerobic digestion of the different substrates and the optimal values for the operational parameters. Sensitivity analysis will identify the most important operational parameters and link them to the variables that would need to be controlled in order to obtain a stable and desired operation. The results of the optimization procedure will be verified with experiments in laboratory scale bioreactor systems.

The position is funded for 36 months at very competitive salary (approximately 240,000 DKK p.a. including full health insurance and social security benefits).

Candidates should have a M.Sc. degree or equivalent (i.e. five years undergraduate studies) and should possess good capabilities to communicate in English (both spoken and written). The ideal candidate will have a background in (bio)chemical engineering and be experienced in programming in C++ and/or Fortran.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CVs by e-mail to Dr. I.V. Skiadas ( ivs@kt.dtu.dk ) as soon as possible.

Contact details for more information:

Ioannis V. Skiadas
Assistant professor, Ph.D.
CAPEC, Department of Chemical Engineering
Technical University of Denmark 
Building 227
DK - 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
Phone:+45 45256180, Fax: +45 45883276
E-mail: ivs@kt.dtu.dk
or
Rafiqul Gani
Professor
CAPEC, Department of Chemical Engineering
Technical University of Denmark 
Building 227
DK-2800, Lyngby, Denmark
Phone: +45 4525 2800, Fax: +45 4588 2258  
E-mail: rag@kt.dtu.dk

Information about Ph.D. studies at DTU: http://www.adm.dtu.dk/studier/phd/index_e.htm

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