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Bachelor/Master thesis (f/m/x): Construction and commissioning of a solar rotary kiln
Job Description
Req ID:  1624
Place of work:  Köln
Starting date:  01.08.2025
Career level:  Student research project and final thesis
Type of employment:  Part time, Full-time
Duration of contract:  6-9 Monate

Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V.; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 11,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!

The institute Future Fuels (FF), founded in 2020, contributes to making renewable resources available to replace fossil resources. One of the institute's research focuses is on solar thermochemical processes that utilize high temperatures from concentrated sunlight to drive chemical processes.

 

What to expect
The focus of your bachelor/master thesis will be the construction and commissioning of a rotary kiln solar receiver for heating particle heat carriers as part of the European project, PYSOLO. Your objective is to carry the design from its current detailed design state to its final realized state as a successfully operating receiver. You will inherit the detailed design of the receiver from a student completing a bachelor’s thesis and will need to collaborate with this student to understand the receiver and its envisioned operation, as well as identify the remaining design aspects required. You will consider the constraints imposed by the existing design to create the remaining components. You will also have the opportunity to innovate internal lifting structures to enhance the performance of the rotary kiln. Finally, to ensure the constructed receiver operates correctly prior to the main testing campaign, you will create an experimental protocol and plan for commissioning, considering important operating parameters, such as angle of inclination and rotation speed.

 

Your tasks

  • listing of the different components and parameters which should be considered for the building of the solar receiver, considering the requirements of the project and the CAD detail design
  • mechanical design of remaining components identified
  • ordering of components 
  • building of the solar receiver
  • commissioning campaign to ensure successful operation of the receiver
  • planning and experimental campaign to validate system design parameters (depending on duration of employment)

 

Your profile

  • Master or bachelor's studies in mechanical engineering, environmental engineering, process engineering, or similar
  • good knowledge of the design of mechanical components and material selection: e.g. rotating parts, structures, system including thermal insulation components. 
  • experience with rotary kilns 
  • experience with construction and experimental work
  • good knowledge of CAD software, experience with Autodesk Inventor and experience with technical drawings
  • fluent English language skills and Knowledge of the German language
  • independent, thorough and structured way of working

 

Remuneration is up to the German TVöD 5 depending on qualifications and assigned Tasks.

We offer

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

We look forward to getting to know you!

If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 1624) please contact:

Martin Roeb 
Tel.: +49 2203 601 2673