PhD scholarship in Ash-Bed Interactions and Agglomeration in Biomass-fired Fluidized Bed Boilers - DTU Chemical Engineering

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet; Ørsted; On-site; DKK 335,000 - 402,000; Full time

Job summary

DTU Chemical Engineering in Lyngby, Denmark, offers a 3-year PhD project on biomass combustion, ash chemistry, and high-temperature processes. You will investigate bed material transformation, agglomeration, and defluidization in biomass-fired fluidized bed boilers.

The DTU-Ørsted collaboration aims to improve understanding of ash-bed interactions and to develop experimental and modelling tools for evaluating agglomeration risk, fuel management, and industrial boiler operation.

Qualifications

• Background in chemical engineering, energy engineering, materials science, chemistry, mechanical engineering, process engineering or related field.
• Experience with biomass combustion, ash chemistry, or high-temperature experiments is advantageous.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with academic and industrial partners.

Responsibilities

• Investigate alkali interactions with bed materials under high-temperature conditions
• Characterise bed material transformation, coating formation, and melting behaviour
• Develop and validate models of high-temperature alkali chemistry and ash-bed interactions
• Study agglomeration and defluidisation mechanisms and mitigation strategies
• Translate findings into recommendations for industrial fluidized bed boiler operation
• Publish research in peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences

Skills

Biomass combustion

Ash chemistry

High-temperature work

Modelling

Bed agglomeration

Education

Two-year master’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Are you interested in biomass combustion, ash chemistry, and experimental and modelling research on high-temperature processes? This PhD project offers an opportunity to investigate bed material transformation, agglomeration, and defluidization in biomass-fired fluidized bed boilers.

Bed agglomeration is a major operational challenge in fluidized bed combustion. Interactions between biomass ash, gaseous alkali species, and bed materials can lead to the formation of low-melting compounds, potentially resulting in unstable fluidization and, in severe cases, unplanned boiler shutdowns.

The project is a collaboration between DTU Chemical Engineering and Ørsted. Its overall objective is to improve the fundamental understanding of ash-bed interactions and develop experimental and modelling tools for evaluating agglomeration risk, improving bed material management, and supporting the use of biomass fuels of lower or more variable quality.

The project combines laboratory-scale fluidized-bed experiments, high-temperature gas-solid reaction experiments, advanced material characterization, thermodynamic equilibrium calculations, and chemical kinetic modelling. You will work with both model compounds and industrial bed materials and interact closely with researchers, technical staff, and industrial specialists. The project will maintain close links between fundamental research and industrial applications.

Responsibilities and qualifications

Your primary tasks will include:

• Investigating alkali interactions with bed materials under high-temperature conditions
• Characterising bed material transformation, coating formation, and melting behaviour
• Developing and validating models of high-temperature alkali chemistry and ash-bed interactions
• Studying agglomeration and defluidisation mechanisms and mitigation strategies
• Translating the scientific findings into recommendations for industrial fluidized bed boiler operation and fuel management
• Publishing your research in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presenting it at international conferences

You are a highly motivated candidate with a background in chemical engineering, energy engineering, materials science, chemistry, mechanical engineering, process engineering, or a related field.

Experience in one or more of the following areas will be an advantage:

• Biomass combustion or fluidized bed processes
• Ash chemistry
• High-temperature experimental work
• Characterisation of ash or related materials
• Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations
• Chemical kinetic or gas–solid reaction modelling

You should be interested in combining experimental work and modelling and applying fundamental research to industrial challenges. You should be able to work independently and collaborate effectively with academic and industrial partners. Good written and spoken English skills are required.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment

The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

Assessment

The assessment of applicants will be made by Prof. Hao Wu and Senior Researcher Anne Juul Damø from DTU Chemical Engineering.

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognised for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterised by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

The PhD project is expected to start on 1st December 2026.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Prof. Wu ([e-mail]).

Applicants must submit application by 27 September 2026 (23:59 Danish time).

You can read more about at www.kt.dtu.dk

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at DTU is a leader in innovative teaching and research, built on core technical subjects and engineering scientific disciplines. The teaching and research cover separation processes, bioprocesses, bioengineering, bioconversions, reaction engineering, dynamics and process regulation, process and facility planning, unit operations, a.o. The Department enjoys very close relations with international partners, and especially a wide range of industrial companies,

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe’s leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe’s global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13 800 students, 1 600 PhD students, and 6 500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.

Location

Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark