PhD Study : Novel pathways for wastewater sludge energy valorisation, with a focus on hydrogen production from microbial electrolysis cells

Summary

As we move to a carbon free society, hydrogen is recognised as the fuel of the future.  In keeping with the theme of sustainable and environmentally responsible energy generation, there is significant interest in reusing resources and developing low-cost technology to produce hydrogen.  Wastewater sludge is the primary by-product of domestic and industrial water treatment. Currently 13 million tonnes of sludge are produced annually across Europe with  1.5 million tonnes in the UK - further increase has been projected with population growth. Sludge management poses several challenges from practical and energy consumption perspectives, due to its high liquid to solid ratio it requires thickening and mechanical dewatering and the presence of toxic and environmental pollution compounds restrict potential reuse application. However, sewage sludge contains significant potential to be used as a feedstock for energy production and as such we canrethink sludge management as a technique to recover resource within the framework of a sustainable and circular economy.

Anaerobic digestion has been used for many years as the main energy production treatment for sludge, but fermentation barriers, digestate toxicity and the cost of production and maintenance of AD systems limit the full recovery of the embodied energy within the organic content. Microbial electrolysers, MECs, are emerging systems that could solve the bio-degradation problems and simultaneously produce hydrogen – the fuel of the future. Treating sewage sludge directly via MECs has been demonstrated within our labs, however one of the main barriers to scale-up of the technology is the need to use expensive materials within the construction of the microbial electrolysers.

During this project the PhD researcher will:

• develop a literature review describing the state of art in energy recovery from sewage sludge treatment
• develop computational models to evaluate the use of novel materials to ensure high system efficiency run a series of experiments using single chamber microbial electrolysers, examining the potential to use low-cost materials as the anode and cathode (e.g. recycled carbon fibres, stainless steel)
• optimise H2 production using novel low-cost materials, aiming at 50% reduction in the capital cost whilst maintaining a good hydrogen production rate (0.009 m3/m3 day).

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.

• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

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.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• 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. Further information on cost of living