Master's thesis (f/m/d): Techno-economics of CO2-active Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

German Aerospace Center (DLR); Jülich; On-site; EUR 20,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

The Solar Production Process Assessment department of the Institute for Future Fuels at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) invites a motivated student in Process or Chemical Engineering to join a hands-on project. You will review the state of CO2-active FT, model a steady-state process in Aspen Plus, and perform techno-economic evaluation in Python, with a focus on the RWGS–FT pathway.

You will compare a reference case (RWGS reactor followed by conventional FT) to quantify the benefits of process

Qualifications

• Student in Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related subject.
• Excellent programming skills (Python, MATLAB, C++).
• Proficiency in flow chart simulation software (Aspen Plus, CHEMCAD).
• Exceptional ability to learn quickly and take initiative independently.

Responsibilities

• Literature review on CO2-active FT: conversions, selectivities, and lifetimes.
• Develop steady-state process model of CO2-active FT route in Aspen Plus with a suitable reactor model.
• Define a reference case (RWGS + conventional FT) for benchmarking and comparison.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

C++

Aspen Plus

CHEMCAD

Independent learner

Education

Process Engineering / Chemical Engineering student

Tools

Aspen Plus

CHEMCAD

Job description

The Institute for Future Fuels conducts research on processes for producing fuels and basic chemicals using renewable energy sources and resources. The focus is on the use of solar heat and electricity, as well as sustainable process management.

What To Expect

The Solar Production Process Assessment department of the Institute of Future Fuels develops production routes for the sustainable generation of future chemical energy carriers. These include synthetic hydrocarbons from CO2 and renewable electricity (power-to-liquid), a key building block for the defossilization of transport and the chemical industry. Hydrogen from electrolysis and CO2 are converted via the reverse water-gas shift reaction (RWGS) into a syngas, which is then turned into liquid products by Fischer‑Tropsch (FT) synthesis. In the established process, RWGS and FT run in separate reactors. CO2‑active FT brings both reactions together on a single iron catalyst in one reactor and thus represents a case of process intensification. Whether this intensified route is economically viable depends chiefly on the activity, selectivity, and lifetime of the catalyst, whose stability was long regarded as the critical bottleneck. Recent studies now report on‑stream lifetimes exceeding 1000 to 2000 hours at lab scale, only now bringing a robust techno‑economic assessment of this pathway within reach.

Your tasks

• Literature review on the state of CO2‑active FT: achievable conversions and selectivities, iron catalysts in use, reported on‑stream lifetimes, and deactivation mechanisms.
• Development of a steady‑state process model of the CO2‑active FT route (electrolysis, CO2 supply, intensified FT reactor) in Aspen Plus, with a suitable reactor model.
• Definition of a reference case (a separate RWGS reactor followed by conventional FT) as a benchmark, to quantify the effect of process intensification.
• Techno‑economic and, where useful, environmental evaluation of the simulation results in Python.
• Break‑even analysis: At which combination of catalyst activity, C5+ selectivity, and lifetime does the CO2‑active route become competitive with the reference case?

Your profile

• Student in Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related subject
• Excellent programming skills (such as Python, MATLAB, C++)
• Proficiency in flow chart simulation software (such as Aspen Plus®, CHEMCAD)
• Exceptional ability to learn quickly, and take the initiative independently

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 6386) please contact:

Simon Maier

Tel.: [phone]