Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) (2016-2017)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (SMAE) PhD Project

Title: Developing high value solid by-products during biomass to transportation fuel process
Keywords: Bioenergy, Transportation fuel, Renewable energy, Coke, Computational chemistry, Biofuel conversion
Project description:
There is a national and global imperative to reduce reliance upon fossil fuels and, at the same time, to improve the efficiency of natural and renewable energy utilisation. These societal demands for ‘green energy’ and sustainability come together with a need for local and value-added manufacturing and are encapsulated in the Engineering Grand Challenge of efficiently converting waste lignocellulosic biomass into transportation fuel. This multidisciplinary project will address this challenge with a particular emphasis on utilising all components of the feedstock for high-value end products. During the production of transport fuels from biomass, the valorisation process generates a quantity (8-25%) of solid by-product ‘coke’. In this project, an integrated system will be designed and developed to ensure efficient generation of liquid fuels whilst maximising the value of the solid component by controlling structure and functionality as it forms.

Both density functional theory simulations and experimental validation for the integrated system will be carried out. The applicant will work closely with collaborators from both industry and academia within UK and abroad (Australia and China). The student will be expected to participate in relavant national and international conferences, and develop journal papers within the research field.
Queen’s University Belfast is a member of the Russell Group (the UK’s leading research-intensive universities) and was ranked 8th (out of 154 UK Universities) in terms of Research Intensity in REF 2014. Of the research output from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 88% was rated as ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world-leading’.
This PhD project is one of the fully-funded studentships that are available within the Pioneer Research Programme (PRP) Sustainable Energy Research Centre at Queen’s University Belfast. The multidisciplinary centre with 36 academic staff aims to address energy security, affordability and sustainability. The student may expect to build his/her career in the area of sustainable energy by working closely with the rsearch staff of this centre.
Applications should be made through the Queen’s online application portal at http://go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply. The starting date for this project is flexible but the applicant is encouraged to apply as soon as possible due to the availability of the funding source. Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Zhang (email: ) directly to discuss the project.
In order to apply you will need to provide:
·  a copy of your c.v.,
·  a statement of your current and future research interests,
·  a copy of your degree certificates and academic transcripts.
·  two reference letters.
Key skills required for the post:
Applications are invited from candidates who have achieved, or expect, a first class or upper second class honours in Computational Chemistry / Chemical Engineering / Renewable Energy, or an equivalent qualification at Masters level. Candidates need to demonstrate of high motivation and strong communication skills (written and oral), work in a team and undertake challenging tasks using their own initiative. Experience in computational chemistry modelling would be advantageous.
Key transferable skills that will be developed during the PhD:
You will develop key skill in the following
·  Engineering process simulation;
·  Atomic/molecular simulation on mechanism and kinetics;
·  Experimental validation techniques using of GC/MS, XRD, SEM, TEM;
·  Study experience in other institutes and companies within the UK and in Australia or China.
First/Lead Supervisor / Dr Xiaolei Zhang (Lecturer, SMAE, QUB)
Tel: +44 (0)28 9097 4490, Email:
All other supervisors / Prof Brian Falzon (Head of School, SMAE, QUB)
Prof Stephen C. Hawkins (Professor, SMAE, QUB; and Department of Materials Engineering, Monash University, Australia)
Top up available for this project? / The studentship covers the full university fees and includes an income of up to £15,500 per annum (comprising a £14,000 stipend and the opportunity to undertake teaching and demonstration duties to earn a further £1,500 per annum).
Linked to DTC? / No