Products based on biogenic carbon (such as carbon dioxide captured from air) are emerging as front-runners in several markets – partly due to their ability to provide direct substitutes for fossil fuels without need for changes in engines and industrial processes. At the same time, they are likely to remain costlier to produce than their traditional counterparts for at least a decade. In the short-term, the financial viability of captured carbon products rests on superior market conditions for lower-carbon products compared to their conventional counterparts. 

As part of the certification of low carbon intensity products, a comprehensive cradle to grave life cycle analysis must be done. This is complicated by the lack of maturity of many carbon-to-products processes. In this PhD study, rigorous methods must be developed and validated to confirm the carbon intensity of a range of low carbon products and processes, providing insights and guidelines for future development of these processes.

Qualifications 

Essential skills for this project include a background in Chemical Engineering and ability to model chemical systems using MATLAB or an equivalent programming language. Appreciation and passion for environmental sustainability and circular economy are required. Strong communication skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team are also required.