PhD student position in Operability of heat integration projects

Oil refineries could potentially reduce their emissions and increase their share of renewable feedstock by introducing new technologies and processes for carbon capture or biomass conversion. Heat integration is a key success factor  in implementation of these technologies since a higher degree of heat integration will, in theory, lead to better energy efficiency and potentially lower costs. However, increased heat integration might be difficult due to issues connected to process operation, control, and safety. There is a need for better knowledge about practical opportunities and barriers for far-reaching process integration projects where the practical feasibility and the effect on the plant operation is taken into account. Therefore, a new PhD project is now proposed to further investigate these issues.

Information about the research project
The research area for the PhD position is heat integration in the refinery industry. The oil refinery industry faces increasing challenges to reduce emissions and increase the share of renewable feedstock. Technology pathways that have a potential to enable this transition include carbon capture and storage and different biomass conversion routes in so-called biorefinery concepts. A key to successful implementation of these technologies is that they are well-integrated with the existing plant so that the overall system becomes energy and cost efficient. A higher degree of heat integration will, in theory, lead to better energy efficiency. However, increased heat integration might be difficult for technical and practical reasons with regard to process operation, control, and safety.This PhD project aims at investigating the practical possibilities as well as constraints for far-reaching process integration projects. The goal is to increase the knowledge about the technical barriers to high levels of heat integration. This will make it possible to estimate better potentials for the integration of new processes into existing plants where the practical feasibility and the effect on the plant operation is taken into account. The PhD project will start with a case study of the Preem refinery  in Lysekil, and this case study will be the basis for further work.


Major responsibilities
Your major responsibilities as PhD student is to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing, both in Swedish and in English. The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20 per cent of working hours.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education (ECTS) credits in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering or equivalent.

Knowledge in heat integration/pinch analysis is a requirement. Previous practical experience of pinch analysis is an advantage (professional as well as for example a master thesis).

In general, any work experience from the process industry is an advantage. In particular, experience from the oil and gas industry is a plus. It is also beneficial if you have an interest for talking to and interviewing people at different positions in industry in order to capture knowledge that has not been written down.

Applicants are expected to have an excellent knowledge of both written and spoken English. Since the work also requires the ability to acquire information from industrial plant personnel and written documentation which is mainly available in Swedish, good verbal and reading skills in Swedish are desirable. Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Application deadline: 2014-03-14

For questions, please contact:
Dr. Elin Svensson
Heat and Power Technology
E-mail: elin.svensson@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31-772 3016

Professor Simon Harvey
Heat and Power Technology
E-mail: simon,harvey@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31-772 8531

Professor Lennart Vamling
Heat and Power Technology
E-mail: lennart.vamling@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31-772 3021




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