Value, Duration and Start Date of the Award

Depending on how you meet the EPSRC’s eligibility criteria, a full award covers tuition fees at the UK/EU rate for the three-year duration of your PhD and an annual stipend of £13,863 (2014/15). A partial award covers fees at the UK/EU rate only.

Project Start Date: September 2015

Sponsor

Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council EPSRC (DTA)

Project Description

This PhD project will investigate the removal of harmful gases from the air which are considered a barrier to sustainability of future societies.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are considered air pollutants, and the harmful effects of these gases on human health have been receiving attention. Efficient treatment systems exist for polluted gas streams, but selectivity and long term operation are challenges. Membrane reactors are a promising alternative for the selective removal of these pollutants from gas streams.

Previous studies have shown that dual phase membranes, formed from porous ceramic substrates, chosen for their ionic and electronic conductivities, which have been infiltrated by molten salts, have the ability to selectively transport these pollutants.

In this project, we aim to understand the reaction mechanisms for the selective permeation of SO2, NO2 and CO2 using composite molten salt/ceramic membrane reactors.

Name of the Supervisor(s)

Professor IS Metcalfe, School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials

Person Specification and Eligibility Criteria

You should have an upper-second-class Honours degree or higher or international equivalent, in chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science or a related subject.

The award is available to UK/EU applicants.  In the case of outstanding International candidates it may be possible that the University will make an award to cover the difference in tuition fees. 

If English is not your first language, you should have IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
You must also have the potential for performing original research.

How to Apply

If you are interested in the above project and meet the criteria you should send a C.V, covering letter plus two references to i.metcalfe<στο>ncl.ac.uk

The successful applicant will then be asked to apply for University admission using the University’s online postgraduate application form Unsuccessful applications will not receive an acknowledgement.

• Insert the program code 8030F in the program of study section.
• Select ‘PhD School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials - Chemical Engineering' as the programme of study.
• Insert the studentship code CE045 in the studentship/partnership reference.  
• Attach a covering letter and C.V. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code CE045 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project.
• Attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.

Closing Date for Applications  

Prompt application is advised as this position is only available until a suitable candidate is found.

Further Information

For further details, please contact:

Professor IS Metcalfe, School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials
E-mail: i.metcalfe<στο>ncl.ac.uk