Hydrothermal processing of waste materials

Overview

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) uses water at high temperatures and pressures to break down materials such as polymers and organic compounds. The products of the process include: a bio-crude that can be upgraded to a liquid fuel or used as a feedstock for chemicals; biogas, which can be used as a fuel; and solid bio-char that can be used as a fuel or soil conditioner.

This project will investigate using HTL to process various waste streams that are difficult to recycle or landfill. This includes the large volumes for waste produced by New Zealand's agriculture and food industry.

The Department of Physics has a purpose-built HTL reactor for the project. The research work will include trialling different materials in the reactor and analysing the products.

A PhD student would be expected to obtain funding through the University of Otago doctoral scholarship program, or be self-funded.

If this sounds interesting to you, please email Dr Arjan Abeynaike for more information.

Useful information

• Graduate research at the University of Otago
• Scholarships at the University of Otago