Hydrogen from food waste

Summary

Biogenic electrolysis is an emerging and novel technology that shows great promise for generating pure hydrogen from digestate and food waste. Compared to existing technologies, it has: i) a potential high yield of hydrogen (an average of 40 mL of hydrogen per gram of biowaste (Umer et al., 2024) (i) low electricity demand (between 17 to 50% of the electricity required by water electrolysis) (Liu et al., 2016; Umer et al., 2024b); (iii) limited requirement for waste pre-treatment, compared to pyrolysis and gasification, since it can work with biowaste with high moisture content (iv) no post-treatment requirement for the gas produced, making it suitable for various applications and (v) high reaction rate for H2 production. Furthermore, the CO2 produced at the anode during the process is ready to be captured (Chen et al., 2019).

Still, the biogenic electrolysis technology is facing several challenges that must be overcome for its deployment, such as improving the hydrogen conversion efficiency (currently, 10% in weight of the hydrogen contained in the feedstock can be extracted), recovering the catalyst used in biomass degradation (iron chloride and polyoxometalate are two catalysts currently applied), optimising the biomass pretreatment conditions and utilising the carbon content from the residue.

The PhD candidate's work is crucial in addressing the technological challenges identified and helping the technology progress towards successful commercialisation.

In detail, the PhD candidate will:

*Design and run a continuous process for hydrogen production using digestate and a series of food waste (e.g. distillery potale)
*Develop and validate a model of the system based on the experimental data collected using machine learning techniques.
*Optimise the process operating parameters based on the validated model.
*Assess the techno-economic and environmental performance of the system for producing hydrogen from digestate and biowaste.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.