PhD Thesis “Development of a hybrid reactor concept for the production of kerosine

  • place:

    Institute for Micro Process Engineering (IMVT), KIT
  • institute:

    Institut für Mikroverfahrenstechnik (IMVT), KIT
  • starting date:

    as soon as possible
  • contact person:

    Prof. Dr. Roland Dittmeyer

Job Description
In its research in the field of power-to-liquid, the Institute of Micro Process Engineering (IMVT) is pursuing the approach of decentralized production of sustainable aviation fuels from carbon dioxide, water and electric power from renewable energy sources. In recent years, IMVT has been able to devise a simplified process for producing ASTM D7566-compliant synthetic paraffinic kerosene (SPK) from the crude product of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, which will be tested at Energy Lab 2.0 later this year on a scale of several hundred liters of production per day. However, SPK is only approved for blending with fossil kerosene up to a maximum of 50%, as jet fuels currently have to contain a minimum of 8% aromatics, in addition to meeting ASTM D1655, to ensure compatibility with the polymer seals currently used in aircraft and refueling systems. With funding from the BMDV via the recently launched REF4FU project 'Renewable Fuels from Green Refineries of the Future', the PhD thesis announced here will now investigate how specific aromatics with a low tendency to form soot during combustion can be specifically produced from the other fractions of the Fischer-Tropsch product spectrum, which, after blending with SPK, will produce an aviation turbine fuel that meets the ASTM D1566 standard. It is also intended to maximize the overall yield of sustainable jet fuel.

 

Personal qualification
MSc in technical chemistry or chemical engineering or process engineering. Very good knowledge of heterogeneous catalysis and chemical reaction engineering. First experience with zeolite catalysts and in the field of hydrogenative treatment of hydrocarbons (synthetic fuels) or Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is desirable (e.g. in Bachelor/Master thesis). Very good academic performance.

 

Contract duration
Limited to 3 years

 

Contact person in line-management
For further inquiries, please contact Prof. Dr. Roland Dittmeyer, Institute Director of the IMVT and at the same time mentor of the advertised doctoral thesis, phone +49 (0)721 608-23114.