Ph.D. Project in Energy and Sustainability| IIT Delhi - Abu Dhabi

Conceptualizing a Mini-Haber Process: A Microplant powered by Green Hydrogen

Energy and Sustainability

Supervisors

Prof. Shantanu Roy
Prof. Mohammad Ali Haider

Project Description

The PhD project aims to innovate ammonia synthesis through the development of a compact, electrified mini-Haber process. This microplant will utilize renewable energy sources to produce green hydrogen, which will then be combined with nitrogen to synthesize ammonia with significantly reduced carbon emissions. As the global demand for sustainable fertilizers increases, this project addresses the urgent need for environmentally friendly ammonia production methods.

The proposed microplant design will integrate advanced electrolysis technology for hydrogen generation, leveraging renewable electricity from sources such as solar and wind. The project will focus on optimizing the reactor design and operational parameters to ensure efficient ammonia synthesis while maintaining a low carbon footprint. By employing computational modeling techniques, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and thermodynamic simulations, we will analyze the reaction kinetics and system dynamics under various operational scenarios.

Key objectives include assessing the scalability of the mini-Haber process for decentralized production, minimizing energy consumption, and maximizing ammonia yield. The outcomes of this research are expected to contribute to the development of sustainable agricultural practices by providing a reliable source of green ammonia.

In the final phase of the project, the entire optimized process concept will be demonstrated through a laboratory scale process unit for the electrified mini-Haber process.

Ultimately, this project aims to pave the way for innovative ammonia production technologies that align with global sustainability goals and support the transition towards a circular economy in the chemical industry.

Background Required

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, or related areas. Strong interest in mathematical modeling is desirable.