Jülich: Master Thesis - Integrating metal hydride storage into green ammonia production - A process simulation study

Would you like to actively shape the structural change in the Rhenish mining area together with us? With us you have the chance to join the newly founded Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy (INW) with your ideas right from the start. Together with the H2 demonstration region, the INW forms the "Helmholtz Cluster for sustainable and Infrastructure-Compatible Hydrogen Economy" (HC-H2). Here, scientific foundations are laid in the field of innovative hydrogen technologies in order to advance research and development approaches with high sustainability potential and attractive economic prospects. You will belong to the INW-4 institute division. INW-4 deals with the process synthesis and validation of overall systems and processes for the production and use of chemical hydrogen storage media such as ammonia, methanol, dimethyl ether or LOHC. This context gives rise to interdisciplinary challenges that lead to diverse scientific topics and tasks at INW-4.

Your Job:

Metal hydride storage systems represent an interesting technological option in green ammonia production processes. These storage systems can receive hydrogen at low pressure and compress it by utilizing heat. Modeling such a storage system allows the evaluation on overall process efficiency and comparison with state-of-the-art technology, e.g. reciprocating compressors. In your thesis you will model a metal hydride storage system in the context of green ammonia process model. You will analyze the performance of the overall process model and compare it with the performance of state-of-the-art technology.

• Research the current state of metal hydride storage systems and select a suitable metal hydride for your simulation
• Create a model of the storage system in Aveva Process Simulation and validate it with experimental data
• Integrate your model into an ammonia synthesis process
• Identify optimal operating conditions by conducting sensitivity analyses and evaluate the performance of the overall process
• Integrate potential efficiency enhancement strategies into your process design
• Compare the performance of your process with state-of-the-art process technology
  
  

Your Profile:

• Currently enrolled in a Master`s program in the field of process engineering, chemical engineering, energy engineering, environmental engineering, or a related field
• Good knowledge of thermodynamics, process engineering, and reaction engineering
• Experience with process simulation software (e.g. Aspen, AVEVA, Python, ...) is an advantage but not required
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to show initiative and work independently
• Strong communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills
• Very good knowledge of German and/or English, both written and spoken
  
  

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• MEANINGFUL TASKS: Your thesis deals with a future-oriented, socially relevant topic with direct practical relevance in an international environment
• PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: With us, you will gain valuable practical experience alongside your studies and actively participate in interdisciplinary projects
• SCIENTIFIC ENVIRONMENT: You can expect excellent scientific equipment, modern technologies, and qualified support from experienced colleagues
• PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY: You organize your tasks independently—from preparation to implementation
• ONBOARDING & TEAMWORK: You can look forward to working in a dedicated, international, and collegial team. It is important to us that you quickly settle into the team and are given structured training for your tasks. We also support you from the very beginning and make your start easier with our Welcome Days and Welcome Guide: https://go.fzj.de/welcome
• WORK-LIFE BALANCE: We offer flexible working hours to help you balance your professional and personal life. You also have the option of flexible working (in terms of location), which is generally possible after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
• HEALTH & WELL-BEING: Your health is important to us. You can look forward to a comprehensive company health management programme with a wide range of options, including a beach volleyball court, running groups, yoga classes and much more. In addition, our company medical service and an experienced social counselling team are available to assist you on site
• FAIR REMUNERATION: We will pay you a reasonable remuneration for your thesis

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

Place of employment: Brainergy Park Jülich

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey