PhD position Air Sparging in RO modules

PhD position Air Sparging in RO modules
Enschede, 7500 AE, (Overijssel), 38 hours per week University of Twente

Job description
PhD Air/water cleaning to control membrane fouling

High-pressure membrane processes, i.e. reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF), are increasingly used in drinking water treatment, seawater desalination, waste water reclamation and for the production of water for industrial uses. The potential for the removal of salts, pathogens, pesticides, hormones, pharmaceuticals and other possible threatening priority compounds from feed waters by NF/RO make these membrane processes highly attractive in a world with shortage of clean and fresh water. The largest problem in using membrane processes, however, is the occurrence of membrane fouling resulting in performance loss and operational problems resulting in an increase of the total treatment cost which limits the use of NF/RO. The new and innovative ‘AiRO’ process uses air/water cleaning of vertically positioned membrane elements to control membrane fouling.

To effectively apply AiRO in practice, an alternative NF/RO design is necessary using vertically positioned membrane elements, completely different from conventional NF/RO design applied worldwide. The most efficient use of the AiRO technology depends on the optimal use of air/water cleaning in membrane elements. Although initial research showed the effectiveness of the process, many fundamental questions still remain unanswered. Some of these questions involve:

(i)the mechanical/physical understanding of air/water cleaning of membrane elements,

(ii)the effectiveness of the air/water cleaning process in relation to different feed components,

(iii)the long term behaviour of air/water cleaning.

The first two research questions will be investigated using CFD modelling parallel to laboratory tests and will be the heart of the PhD project. Long term air/water cleaning behaviour will be investigated in on-site pilot-scale research in a parallel research project.

Requirements
University Graduate
Profile

We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic researchers with an MSc degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, material science or a related topic, with adequate experimental and theoretical skills. We prefer candidates with a good team spirit, who like to work in an internationally oriented environment. Fluency in English is a requirement. An interview and a scientific presentation will be part of the selection procedure.

Organization

University of Twente Faculty of Science and Technology Sharing knowledge, working together, research, innovation. It is all part of the only campus university in the Netherlands: the University of Twente (UT). A university with an international character. We have for example many foreign doctoral students, and master programmes are provided in English. Divided over 5 faculties, we provide more than 50 Bachelor and Master programmes, varying from Applied Physics and Public Administration to Applied Communication Science and Biomedical Technology.

In beautiful green surroundings, more than 8000 students and 2700 staff live, work and recreate at the UT. It is also a place where talented people get every opportunity to perform cutting edge research. But as an entrepreneurial university this is not all we do. In ‘Kennispark’, for example, we work together with the business community, we support our students in setting up their own businesses and participate in many projects in the area of knowledge development. In brief, a dynamic climate in which to work and study.

The Faculty of Science and Technology (700 faculty members, 1100 students) offers a range of bachelor and master courses (NanoTechnology, Applied Physics, Chemical Engineering and Technical Medicine). The faculty’s research is organized in three of the university’s interdisciplinary research institutes: MESA+, BMTI, and IMPACT. These institutes increase the vitality of research by enabling collaboration between programs and disciplines, by providing shared facilities, and by attracting funding for joint projects. They also provide a conduit to industrial partners and help in attracting new faculty.

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000
Salaryscale 10.
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2612
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 years
Maximum hours per week: 38

Additional conditions of employment:
Offer

We offer a scientific education on a multidisciplinary subject. The assignment is for 4 years, with a go/no-go assessment at the end of the first year. The candidates are expected to finish the project with a PhD thesis and disseminate the results through patents (if applicable), publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences. Your starting salary will be € 2000,- in the first year and up to € 2558,- gross per month in the last year.

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

Dr.ir. Antoine Kemperman
Telephone number: +31 53 489 2956
E-mail address: a.j.b.kemperman@utwente.nl

Application
You can apply for this job before 04-01-2009 by sending your
application to:

University of Twente
faculty TNW
dr.ir. A. Antoine Kemperman
Postbus 217
7500 AE Enschede

E-mail address: a.j.b.kemperman@utwente.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number AT/08/292.

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