PhD Studentship in Bioenergy Sciences

University of Nottingham

United Kingdom

Position Description

Area: Engineering
Location: UK Other
Study Location: Nottingham
Discipline: Engineering & Physical Sciences
Reference: ENG415
Closing Date: Monday 30 November 2026
Programme Length: 4 Years
Study Mode: Full-time
Start Date: December 2027

Project Overview

This fully funded PhD project aims to develop and demonstrate a laboratory-scale multifunctional reactor capable of operating both as a biochar/bio-syngas generator and as a Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) reactor.

The project sits at the forefront of net-zero research, combining reactor engineering, biochar production, biomass utilisation, and carbon capture technologies. Working closely with academic researchers and industrial partners, the successful candidate will contribute to the development of innovative low-carbon technologies that support greenhouse gas removal and sustainable energy generation.

Aim

The project aims to develop and demonstrate a laboratory-scale reactor that can function as both:

A biochar and bio-syngas generation system.
A Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) reactor.

Research Objectives

The successful candidate will:

Collaborate with a commercial laboratory furnace manufacturer to conceptually design a laboratory-scale electrically heated furnace capable of housing the multifunctional reactor.

Design and work alongside University engineering technicians to manufacture at least two reactor configurations (fluidised-bed and fixed-bed) that can be integrated within the furnace system for biochar production and BECCS evaluation using calcium-based and other solid sorbents.

Carry out biochar production experiments using a range of biomass feedstocks and characterise the resulting biochar materials using advanced analytical techniques available at the University of Nottingham, including:
- BET surface area analysis
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
- X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
- Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

Conduct CO₂ capture experiments using the multifunctional reactor testing system with:
- Calcium-based sorbents at elevated temperatures.
- Alternative solid sorbents, including biochar-derived sorbents, at lower temperatures.

The research programme will initially utilise simulated CO₂-containing gas streams before progressing to experiments using real CO₂-containing flue gases.