Start your career with an exciting master thesis in the field of sustainable hydrogen production. At the DLR Future Fuels Institute, we focus on the sustainable production of chemicals and fuels for industry and vehicles. Moving away from fossil energy carriers, we develop pathways for the production of hydrogen and other synthetic fuels with renewable energy carriers. One process that we are currently developing focuses on the production of hydrogen by using only the thermal energy of the sun and water. Other than hydrogen process via electrolysis, this process does not include an electrochemical step and has a high potential in terms of overall process efficiency. The process uses solid redox materials that are recycled within the process at elevated temperatures of up to 1500 °C. This innovative concept is currently under development within several projects at our institute addressing process simulation, experimental proof-of-concept and economic aspects.

A main core component of the process is an innovative heat exchanger/reactor which enables not only heat transfer but also a chemical reaction between a gas and solid particles. For the scale-up and optimization of this component, we are looking for support in our team. 

Within your master thesis, you will analyze a reactor configuration from a technical, thermodynamic, and economic point of view. Based on an existing model, you will work out how the lab scale system can be scaled to an industrial application. With your research, you will find out how the system has to be designed to meet technical efficiency and economic figures. The results of the thesis will be directly incorporated in our on-going research efforts and support us in the future research activities on solar fuel production systems.

You will be closely integrated into our diverse and highly motivated team in the “Solar process demonstration” department located in Jülich. An experienced colleague will closely work together with you and support you throughout the entire master thesis. The thesis project will be aligned with the responsible professor of your university.