Research Topic
The objective of the research traineeship is aimed at producing new knowledge in the development of sustainable membrane gas separation processes for environmental applications. In particular, this objective will assess the recovery of value-added refrigerants from waste refrigerants collected from end-of-life RAC equipment searching a very high purity target (>99.5%) equivalent to virgin refrigerants. In this way, membrane separation will become a key vector for circular economy practices in the refrigeration sector. A second target looks at the separation of CO2 form carbon monoxide, a kind of mixture of growing interest within the field of CO2 electrochemical conversion and utilization. The researcher will be trained in the experimental characterization of the separation process at the lab scale, studying the influence of the main process variables: feed gas composition, pressure, flowrate, etc, on the productivity and selectivity of the separation process. Also in the mathematical modeling and process design of the separation process, using chemical process simulators, such as Aspen Custom Modeller.
In adittion to this traineeship period offer for master students, a new PhD position will be opened soon. The PhD position will include a 4-years research contract, the registration fees in the doctoral programm and funding for short stays mobility during the PhD. Those interested in applying to the PhD position, please contact Professor Ane Urtiaga, urtiaga@unican.es