PhD Studentship - Process Industries: Net Zero CDT: Energy and Resource Recovery from Spent Filters

Overview

This PhD project is part of the EPSRC Process Industries: Net Zero (PINZ) Centre for Doctoral Training and is supported by PPT Filtercycle Ltd. The project aims to develop circular approaches to maximise the energy and resource value of spent filters, reduce material disposal, and minimise the environmental footprint of filtration processes. Its approach is to develop methodologies which can be usefully and quickly converted from pilot scale to operational for SME sites who otherwise may utilise broad waste management streams. This approach will consider bespoke solutions maximising the opportunity for reuse and recycle.

The project will consider the fuel capacity of combustible spent filters as a source of energy to safely separate other filter components for reuse. This will involve characterising different waste filter materials, investigating their composition, thermal properties and energy potential. Combustion behaviour, process safety and operational risks will be investigated to establish whether different filter materials can be safely incinerated, considering emissions and residue formation.

This primary investigation will facilitate the opportunity to investigate and develop the reuse and repurposing of spent filters to extend their useful life and reduce reliance on landfill for un-separated filter composite plus residue. All methodologies will be considered including cleaning and regeneration approaches.

The project will also investigate the recovery and utilisation of valuable inorganic components, particularly calcium-rich compounds, from filtration residues. These residues will be explored as potential feedstocks for CO2 capture through mineral carbonation. This will involve investigating material composition, recovery, carbonation kinetics, CO2 uptake, and the application of resulting carbonated products.

By transforming spent filters into energy and valuable materials, this project could help make industrial filtration more sustainable. The project will appeal to applicants in chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science who are passionate to address real-world sustainability challenges.

Start Date

1 October 2027

Award Duration

4 Years

Sponsor

EPSRC

Supervisors

Shayan Seyedin (shayan.seyedin@newcastle.ac.uk)

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project. Due to the nature of this project, the candidate should have a strong background in Engineering, especially Chemical Engineering or another closely-related engineering subject. Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential.

This studentship is available to UK Home students only.

How To Apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal. Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Identify your programme of study via ‘Course Search’

• Search the ‘Course Title’ using programme code: 8856F
• Research Area: Leave this blank
• Programme of Study: select ‘PhD in Process Industries; Net Zero (PINZ)'

Further details Section

You need to provide the following:

• Personal Statement (mandatory): Upload a document or write a statement directly into the application form  
• Studentship/Partnership Reference: Enter the studentship code PINZ04-27 
• Research Proposal: When asked how you are providing your research proposal, select ‘Write Proposal’, and enter the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a separate research proposal.
• Supporting documents: Upload your CV

You must submit one application per studentship.  You cannot apply for multiple studentships in one application.

Contact Details

General enquiries: pinz.cdt@ncl.ac.uk

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