The Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems (MPI) is looking for a student willing to write a master thesis in the Max-DePoly project in collaboration with BASF. The Max-DePoly project deals with the chemical recycling of polymers, especially polyamides (PA).
Further information about the project.
Motivation
In the future, closed cycles in the chemical industry represent an essential contribution to the sustainable development of our society as it counteracts environmental pollution and depletion of fossil raw materials. Engineering thermoplastics such as polyamide 66, also called Nylon 66, are often unsuitable for the most popular mechanical recycling strategy. This is due to their very high-quality requirements and the degradation of the polymers, the so-called downcycling. Moreover, mixed or contaminated plastic waste is a considerable challenge in mechanical recycling.
Therefore, chemical recycling processes are needed that can tolerate a certain amount of contamination and depolymerise the polymer into its respective monomers. As opposed to mechanical recycling, chemical recycling avoids the polymer's quality loss, thereby acting in favour of a circular economy with multiple polymerisation–depolymerisation cycles. Different chemical recycling options exist, such as hydrolysis, alcoholysis or aminolysis. In this project, the hydrolysis of PA66 using supercritical water is to be investigated. In the literature, a process simulation and analysis in terms of carbon footprint, as well as the determination of the influence of specific process variables, is missing. Hence, this project aims to simulate and analyse the process in order to improve the understanding and find possible opportunities for optimisation of the process.
Task description
- Simulation of PA66 Depolymerisation Process using Aspen Plus
- Complete mass and energy balance of process
- Close recycle loops
- Define purge and waste streams
- Define PA66 polymer using segment approach in Aspen Plus
- Estimate missing physical properties
- Incorporate the kinetics of the hydrolysis reactions (reverse polycondensation)
- Process Analysis
- Investigate equilibrium chain length distribution and composition of monomers and oligomers depending on stoichiometry (comparison with experimental data provided by BASF SE)
- Sensitivity analysis (temperature, water:polymer ratio, ..)
- Product carbon footprint (PCF) calculation
- Optional: optimisation of process conditions with regard to PCF
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Process Engineering, Chemical and Energy Engineering, Process Safety and Environmental Engineering or a similar technical degree program with above-average grades
- Good skills and experience with Aspen Plus
- Desirable is a successful completion of the courses: process systems engineering (SVT) and/or advanced process and systems engineering (APSE), as well as process simulation with Aspen
- Experience in process optimisation is an advantage
- Dedication and enthusiasm for innovative research
- Independent, results-oriented and systematic working approach
Start: from 02.01.2023 at the earliest
Work mode: preferably home office
The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and, therefore, explicitly encourages women to apply.
Please note the information regarding the storage of personal data.
If you are interested, please get in touch with us at aminor@mpi-magdeburg.mpg.de with your resume and a grade summary so we can schedule an interview.
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