Designing new porous foam catalysts PhD / MSc by Research

Catalysts are an utterly vital tool in chemical processes and are used extensively in industry, however many commercial catalysts are made cheaply and as such have poor heat and mass transfer properties. The student working on this project will develop new porous catalytic foams, which thus far have been too expensive to use in industry because of their manufacturing process.

These new porous catalytic foams will be produced via a new method under trail at Cranfield University, which has been shown to be more environmentally friendly and cost effective compared to traditional manufacturing methods. These porous catalytic foams will be characterised and tested to produce hydrogen in the sorption enhanced steam methane reforming process.

The successful candidate will work within Cranfield’s state-of-the-art energy research facilities, where we own and conduct research on the UK’s largest chemical and calcium looping facilities. This research supports existing work going on within the Energy and Power department at Cranfield University and is a unique take the problem at hand. Cranfield University has an outstanding academic reputation, which is bolstered by our close relations with industry. The research our students carry out for industry, government and businesses provides them with a real-world learning environment, allowing them to develop as professionals and then transfer their knowledge into the global economy.

This research and development project into catalytic foams will lead to enhanced process productivity and selectivity, increased process efficiency, and reduced operating costs. The student involved in this research will be expected contribute to several high-impact publications, conference presentations, and will influence the direction of future grant proposals.

Funding is available for the student to attend international conferences and network meetings (both are highly encouraged). In addition, specific software and reactor operation training will be provided.

It is expected that the student will publish academic journal papers, attend international and national conferences, and will gain a multitude of transferable technical and managerial skills throughout their PhD applicable in both industry and academia. PhD’s are widely recognised as being key qualifications for future employment in areas including academia, industry, consultancy, and research and development. It is hoped that the outcomes of this research will lead to patents or spin-out businesses.