JOB DESCRIPTION
In the Physics of Complex Fluids (PCF) group at the University of Twente (Enschede, The Netherlands), research is aimed at understanding various behaviors of multicomponent fluids near interfaces. In the collaborative cCOOL program we develop the permanent storage of CO2 inside minerals as a negative emission technology.
The goal of the PhD project is to explore strategies for permanently storing CO2 in the form of particles in underground porous rock reservoirs. For this purpose, the CO2 has to get captured inside particles that subsequently get transported to their storage location in the form of an aqueous slurry. Conversion of the CO2 to (e.g. calcium or magnesium based) carbonate minerals should then take place under the local conditions of temperature and salt composition of the storage reservoir. In the project we will first optimize the CO2 uptake capacity of selected particles (e.g. clay, silica) in aqueous suspensions at ambient temperature. Next step will be the study of CO2 release/retention and mineralization reactions at elevated temperatures. These high temperature and pressure experiments will be facilitated by a dedicated microfluidic reaction chamber. Finding the best characterization method for CO2 release and/or conversion will be part of the project.
Curious? Please see more information under the tab vacancies.
