DC4: Conversion of key priority pollutants from wastewater to highly efficient energy-rich products through controlled catalytic hydrothermal reactions (WP1)
Host institution: University of Patras (Greece)
Supervisor: Dionyssios Mantzavinos (PhD promoter)
Objectives: (i) to prepare efficient and low-cost hydrochar from wastewater (e.g., olive mill wastewater) using catalytic hydrothermal reactions. (ii) to evaluate the possibility of using the prepared hydrochar as a supercapacitor for energy storage, (iii) to evaluate the possibility of using the hydrochar to improve methane production during the anaerobic digestion of organic solid waste, such as food waste.
DC4 will synthesize hydrochar from wastewater through hydrothermal carbonization at different reaction temperatures and residence times, utilizing potent mineral acids and bases as catalysts. Subsequently, several hydrochar electrodes will be prepared, characterized using advanced and relevant characterization techniques, and tested for their energy storage capacity. The calorific value of the produced hydrochar will be calculated. Additionally, DC4 will explore the potential use of hydrochar to augment methane production during anaerobic digestion of solid waste. The team will systematically study the mechanisms underlying the processes within DC4 and optimize their performance accordingly. Furthermore, DC4 will leverage artificial intelligence approaches to enhance system performance. The team will evaluate the energy balance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental lifecycle impacts of these processes.
Expected results: Efficient conversion of organic compounds (>90%) to hydrochar with high calorific value and/or high energy storage. Reports on the protocols and results obtained from the physicochemical characterization of wastewater and hydrochar, as well as the improvement of biogas production (>40%) using hydrochar in anaerobic digestion systems.
Planned secondments:
- KU L euven (Sup.: R. Dewil): M12-15, 4 months: Application of hydrothermal processes for the synthesis of hydrochar from organic pollutants;
- WATCH (Sup.: D. Du Pasquier): M28-31; 4 months: Training in embryotoxicity assessment of nanoparticles using Xenopus Eleuthero embryo Thyroid Assays (XETA)
Enrolment in Doctoral degree: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras
Ideal candidate profile:
The ideal PhD candidate should have a background in:
- Chemical Engineering or
- Environmental Engineering or
- Chemistry.
with expertise in:
- catalysis;
- physicochemical characterization of materials;
- analytical chemistry;
- environmental chemistry;
- advanced oxidation processes;
- electrochemistry;
- hydrogen production;
- methane production through anaerobic digestion.
Recruited candidate: pending employment formalities