PhD Studentship: Net2zero Development and Demonstration of a Laboratory-Scale Next Generation Multifunctional Reactor for Biochar Production and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) Technology

University of Nottingham; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Nottingham invites applications for a fully funded PhD project focused on developing a laboratory-scale multifunctional reactor that can operate as a biochar/bio-syngas generator and as a BECCS reactor.

The successful candidate will work with academic researchers and industrial partners to advance low-carbon technologies for greenhouse gas removal and sustainable energy generation, starting with simulated streams and progressing to real flue gases.

Qualifications

• Experience in lab-based reactor studies or biomass thermochemical processing.
• Familiarity with characterization techniques used for biochar and sorbents.
• Collaboration with industry partners and academic researchers on experimental design.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a commercial furnace manufacturer to conceptually design a lab-scale electrically heated furnace housing the multifunctional reactor.
• Manufacture at least two reactor configurations (fluidised-bed and fixed-bed) for biochar production and BECCS evaluation.
• Carry out biochar production experiments with various biomass feedstocks and characterize biochar using BET, SEM, XRD and TGA.
• Conduct CO2 capture experiments using calcium-based sorbents and alternative solid sorbents, including biochar-derived sorbents.
• Progress from simulated CO2-containing streams to experiments with real CO2-containing flue gases.

Skills

Biochar production

CO2 capture

Laboratory analysis

BET analysis

SEM

XRD

TGA

Tools

BET

SEM

XRD

TGA

Job description

Programme length: 4 Years

Start date: October 2026

Project overview

This fully funded PhD project aims to develop and demonstrate a laboratory-scale multifunctional reactor capable of operating both as a biochar/bio-syngas generator and as a Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) reactor.

The project sits at the forefront of net-zero research, combining reactor engineering, biochar production, biomass utilisation, and carbon capture technologies. Working closely with academic researchers and industrial partners, the successful candidate will contribute to the development of innovative low‑carbon technologies that support greenhouse gas removal and sustainable energy generation.

Aim

The project aims to develop and demonstrate a laboratory-scale reactor that can function as both:

• A biochar and bio‑syngas generation system.
• A Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) reactor.

Research objectives

The successful candidate will:

• Collaborate with a commercial laboratory furnace manufacturer to conceptually design a laboratory‑scale electrically heated furnace capable of housing the multifunctional reactor.
• Design and work alongside University engineering technicians to manufacture at least two reactor configurations (fluidised‑bed and fixed‑bed) that can be integrated within the furnace system for biochar production and BECCS evaluation using calcium‑based and other solid sorbents.
• Carry out biochar production experiments using a range of biomass feedstocks and characterise the resulting biochar materials using advanced analytical techniques available at the University of Nottingham, including:
• BET surface area analysis
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
• Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
• Conduct CO₂capture experiments using the multifunctional reactor testing system with:
• Calcium‑based sorbents at elevated temperatures.
• Alternative solid sorbents, including biochar‑derived sorbents, at lower temperatures.

The research programme will initially utilise simulated CO₂‑containing gas streams before progressing to experiments using real CO₂‑containing flue gases.

Administrative queries

For enquiries relating to eligibility, the application process, funding, or the Net2Zero CDT programme, please contact:

Net2Zero CDT Team:

Md Ashif Chy

[e-mail]