The vision of the DLR Institute for Future Fuels is to develop technological solutions that enable the cost-effective production of fuels, hydrogen, or even commodities in the sunbelt of the earth on an industrial scale. At the institute, we use our unique infrastructure in which concentrated solar energy covers the heat demand of high-temperature processes.
What to expect
Are you interested in a system that combines concentrated solar thermal technology and co-electrolysis for the production of promising green fuels? Co-electrolysis is a solid oxide electrolysis cell that operates at high temperatures, and it generates synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, from the electrochemical process of splitting water vapor and carbon dioxide. Produced synthesis gas can be used to produce hydrocarbon fuels and other high-value-added chemicals using processes such as Fischer-Tropsch. Be part of an innovative project that demonstrates this combined technology!
This project aims to demonstrate the practical combination of a concentrated solar process and co-electrolysis on a scale of 3-5 kWel for supplying synthesis gas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen), which can be the basis for sustainable fuels. Our team has already demonstrated the solar process part, i.e. a solar cavity receiver, which is intended to supply high-temperature steam at 810 °C for hydrogen production by solid oxide electrolysis cell. Your work will be key in extending the existing validated numerical model of solar cavity receiver for coupling with co-electrolysis.
Your tasks
- Conduct literature review to understand the numerical analysis methods for the heat transfer behavior of multi-gas flow (steam and carbon dioxide) in a metal tube
- Develop a multi-gas heat transfer model that can be integrated into the existing validated numerical model of the solar cavity receiver
- Analyze the heat transfer behavior of multi-gas flow under different conditions (e.g., uniform and non-uniform heat flux distribution, straight and helical metal tubes, inert and reactive). The target temperature of these mixed gases is 825 ℃ or higher
- Conduct a parameter studies, e.g. for different molar ratios of water vapor and carbon dioxide
- Compare the performance of solar receiver in the case of multi-gas flows and in the case of a single gas flow
Your profile
- Master’s degree in final stage in engineering, e.g. mechanical engineering, process engineering, energy engineering
- Good knowledge of thermal fluid dynamics
- Basic experience with thermal dynamics software (e.g., Ansys Mechanical) and/or computational fluid dynamics software (e.g., ANSYS fluent, OpenFOAM)
- Fluent English language skills
We look forward to getting to know you!
If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 1252) please contact:
Yasuki Kadohiro
Tel.: 02203 601 1104
