PhD student position on Efficient iron Ore Production

The Department of Energy and Environment excels in research and education related to energy, environment and sustainable development ranging from a global perspective to industrial, building and product issues. The focus is on experimental and theoretical research on energy technology as well as on development, use and evaluation of methods and tools for analysis of technical systems. In total around 200 persons are active at the six divisions of the department.Information about the research/the project
As a PhD-candidate at the Division of Energy Technology you are an important part of a group of researchers with the general aim to optimize and reduce environmental impact of industrial combustion processes. You will be part of the group in Combustion and Carbon Capture Technologies that consists of six PhD-students and five senior researchers. In total Energy Technology has 63 employees out of which 30 are PhD-students.

The present project is a collaboration between Chalmers and LKAB to improve the production of iron ore. The production of iron ore is today dependent on combustion of coal. With increasing concerns for emissions of carbon dioxide and a more insecure market for fossil fuels it is of great concern to increase the efficiency and flexibility of the iron ore production process.

The project focuses on the grate-kiln process, one of the main alternatives for production of iron ore pellets. In the kiln the pellets are heated to a high temperature to attain a high mechanical integrity. To make the process more competitive, there is an interest to increase the fuel flexibility of the rotary kiln. The motive is two-fold: to reduce CO2 emissions and to increase the flexibility of the fuel supply.  

LKAB, one of the largest export companies in Sweden, is responsible for 90% of the iron ore production within Europe. They are currently expanding their production and have recently taken the most modern grate-kiln plant into operation.

Major responsibilities
The project will be based on both experimental and modeling work. The majority of the work is performed at Chalmers, but part of the experimental work will take place at LKAB’s combustion facilities in Luleå. In addition to the experimental work modeling will be applied both using special tools developed in the project as well as commercial software. Part of the work will be based on methods of which there is extensive experience in the research group at Energy Technology, the project may, however, also involve development of new methodologies.

The majority of the project time (5 years) is devoted to the research, which also includes communication of the project results in project meetings, scientific conferences and journals. In addition, the PhD program includes taking courses, corresponding to 60 ECTS credits, as well as up to 20% departmental work, mostly teaching duties on undergraduate or graduate level.

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

Qualifications
You are a person that is interested in a position with a lot of freedom but also responsibility over your own work. You are curious in working with new fields and new methods. And you are triggered by getting the chance to become the expert in your field of work.

You have a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, Engineering Physics or Mechanical Engineering. Any relevant courses and/or experiences of combustion, heat transfer or process engineering are considered beneficial.
You have good language skills. Communication (orally and written) is important in many aspects of the work, which includes contact with industry, writing scientific papers, presenting the project results in scientific conferences and teaching.

To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in a relevant field.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Application deadline: 2014-03-24

For questions, please contact:
Assistant professor Fredrik Normann
E-mail: fredrik.normann@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31 772 1486

Associate professor Klas Andersson
E-mail: klas.andersson@chalmers.se 
Phone: +46 31 772 5242




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Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society.

The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our eight Areas of Advance; Built Environment, Energy, Information & Communication Technology, Life Science, Materials Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!