First principles modelling of adsorption cycles for direct air capture - PhD in Chemical Engineering.

This is a PhD research project in chemical engineering. The direct capture of CO2 from the atmosphere is a technology that will
become essential to combat climate change. This can be done using either liquid solvents or
solid adsorbents, where the solid adsorbents seem to present a number of advantages
compared to solvents. The solid sorbent materials used for direct air capture of CO2 are
mostly reactive materials, such as amine enhanced silica or alumina. There are currently a
handful of start-up companies worldwide, who pioneer direct air capture with the use of
solid, chemical adsorbents.
Standard adsorption-desorption cycles for direct air capture have been developed and are
commercialised, but the investigation of direct air capture processes is just in its infancy.
This implies that there is much room to develop more efficient or fit-for-purpose adsorption
processes. An established way to do this is through mathematical modelling and simulation.
During the PhD, the candidate will develop these models and will use them to investigate
innovative cycles, which may lead to better performance in terms of energy consumption
and costs.