Motivation
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global CO2 emissions will rise to 321 million tons in 2022. One promising technology for reducing CO2 emissions and using renewable energies is power-to-methanol (P2M) technology. Thanks to P2M, we can achieve an emission-free world. However, to achieve this goal, the reactors used for P2M must be efficient and achieve a high conversion rate. For this reason, the Institute of Micro Process Engineering (IMVT) is working together with partners from industry (Evonik, Siemens Energy and Ineratec) as part of the BMWI project 3D-Process. 3D-Process is investigating the improvement of reactor efficiency using one of the most promising approaches: Additive Manufacturing. This technology can significantly improve the efficiency of reactors and reduce CO2 emissions.

Project and your tasks
Do you see complex calculations and simulations for apparatus designs for chemical, physical applications that you have never tested before? Do you want to compare the data from simulations with experimental results? Here's your chance!
As part of the 3D-Process project, a reactor for methanol synthesis is being developed. In order to validate the simulations for the reactor design, the developed reactor must be tested in a laboratory test rig for methanol synthesis. For this purpose, a research assistant will be employed at the IMVT. The student will fulfill the following tasks:

- Preparation of the test rig for reaction tests for methanol synthesis

- Carrying out performance tests of the developed reactors in the existing test rig

- Evaluating the test results

- Contributing new ideas to improve the test procedures for additively manufactured reactor designs

General conditions

- Students of process engineering/mechanical engineering

- Interest in practical work

- Working method: On site

Start: By arrangement

Contact: Mertcan Kaya (mertcan.kaya@kit.edu)