GRADUATE PROJECT IN Physical Chemistry

Phase equilibria in mixtures of ionic liquids with molecular solvents from the viewpoint of their structure and application potential

Supervisor: Ing. Magdalena Bendová, Ph.D.

E. Hála Laboratory of Separation Processes

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, AS CR, 16502 Prague 6

The aim of this doctoral thesis will be to study the influence of the nature the molecular solvent on the solute-solvent interactions in systems with ionic liquids (ILs). Depending on the degree of mutual miscibility of the selected compounds, thermophysical and thermodynamic properties such as density, heat capacity, or conductivity will be studied experimentally over the entire concentration range and/or at infinite dilution. Additionally, in case of limited miscibility of the system components, liquid phase behaviour will be determined. Molecular solvents with different tendencies towards self-association will be studied to investigate the solvation of ILs from the point of view of the above-mentioned macroscopic properties. Moreover, to understand the underlying microscopic interactions, the measured properties will be modelled using the COSMO-RS methodology.

Required education and skills

• Master degree in physical chemistry, physics, or organic chemistry
• systematic and creative approach to work
• team work ability

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Physical Chemistry

Solubility and sorption of supercritical CO₂ in polymeric ionic liquids: understanding the fundamental structure-property relationships

Supervisors: Magdalena Bendová, Ph.D.,^a Dr. Pascale Husson, HDR^b

Supervising Expert: Jan Storch, Ph.D.^a

^aInstitute of Chemical Process Fundamentals CAS, v. v. i.

^b Université Blaise Pascal, Institute of Chemistry of Clermont-Ferrand, France

Fundamental structure-property relationships of polymeric ionic liquids (PILs), thermophysical properties of the pure PILs, sorption, and phase behaviour of supercritical CO₂ in systems with PILs will be studied experimentally and by means of thermodynamic modelling. Under a Czech-French supervision (doctorat en co-tutelle), the student will synthesise and characterise novel PILs with an application potential for carbon capture and storage.

Required education and skills

• Master degree in physical chemistry, physics, or organic chemistry
• systematic and creative approach to work
• team work ability

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Organic Chemistry / Organic Technology

Synthesis of polyaromatic compounds using the microwave photochemistry

Supervisor: Dr. Ing. Vladimír Církva

Environmental Process Engineering Laboratory

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the AS CR, v.v.i., 165 02 Prague 6 - Suchdol

The project is coupling of two scientific branches: traditional photochemistry and neoteric microwave chemistry, when the effect of UV/Vis and microwave radiation on the chemical and physical properties of molecules is studied. UV radiation is generated quite extraordinary directly by microwave field using the electrodeless discharge lamps.

The aim of the project is a basic research of effect of microwave radiation on the course of cis-trans photoisomerization and photocyclization of stilbenes and o-terphenyls leading to phenanthrene, triphenylene, phenacene, and helicene derivatives, or to their hetero analogues.

The candidates should have a M.Sc. or equivalent degree (or thesis submitted) in organic chemistry or organic technology (or related field), a penchant for experimental work in organic synthesis.

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Organic Technology

Utilization of the micro photoreactor on the selected photochemical reactions

Supervisor: Dr. Ing. Vladimír Církva

Environmental Process Engineering Laboratory

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the AS CR, v.v.i., 165 02 Prague 6 – Suchdol

The project is coupling of two scientific branches: traditional photochemistry and rapidly expanding field of microreactors. Microreactors have several advantages such as the high surface-to-volume ratio, the small length scales of microfabricated devices, the higher illumination homogeneity and better light penetration. Together with feasible iso-thermal operation, they open new ways in photochemistry. Available micro photoreactor will be employed to find the optimal reaction conditions to study a thermal dependence of photostationary state for the selected stilbenes. The effect of temperature, light wavelength, and solvent on cis-trans stilbene photoisomerization, and photocyclization will be investigated. Project will resul in formulation of a methodology for microreactor utilization in photochemictry with the direct validation with a selected reaction.

The candidates should have a M.Sc. or equivalent degree (or thesis submitted) in organic chemistry or organic technology (or related field), a penchant for experimental work, and the ability to learn the knowledge of microfluidics.

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Physical Chemistry

Preparation of nanostructured deposits using CVD

Supervisor: RNDr. Vladislav Dřínek, Ph.D.

Department of Analytical and Material Chemistry

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, AS CR, 16502 Prague 6

PhD student will prepare nanostructered deposits abundant with nanoobjects (nanotubes, -belts, -wires, -platelets etc.) whose dimensions will not exceed 100 nm. It is expected that such deposits will possess quantum based properties applicable in opto- and microelectronics and catalysis. The Ph.D. study will consist of those parts: i) assembly of an experimental CVD setup, ii) CVD of precursors containing Si, Ge and selected metals and iii) analysis of the grown deposits with available analytical techniques.

Ph.D. student will work with glass vacuum setups and learn to operate with analytical techniques available in the group.

Required education and skills

• Master degree in physical, organic, inorganic chemistry or physics
• Interest in the scientific work and manual skills

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Physical Chemistry

Preparation of nanopowders using cryogenic laser ablation

Supervisor: RNDr. Vladislav Dřínek, Ph.D.

Department of Analytical and Material Chemistry

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, AS CR, 16502 Prague 6

The aim of the doctorand thesis will be preparation of nanopowders with very small diameters in nanometer scale using laser ablation of selected targets (mostly Ge and Si) in an inert atmosphere (H₂, He...) at cryogenic temperature up to 77 K. It is expected that such nanopowders will possess quantum based properties applicable in opto- and microelectronics. The Ph.D. study will consist of those parts: i) assembly of experimental setup convenient for cryogenic laser ablation, ii) laser ablation of Ge and Si for preparation nanopowders with very small diameters and iii) analysis of nanopowders with available analytical techniques.

Ph.D. student will work with glass vacuum setups and learn to operate with analytical techniques available in the group. 

Required education and skills

• Master degree in physical, organic, inorganic chemistry or physics
• Interest in the scientific work and manual skills

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Physical Chemistry

Separation of raw biogas by membrane processes

Supervisor: Ing. Pavel Izák, Ph.D., DSc.

 E. Hála Laboratory of Separation Processes, Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals – ICPF, AS CR, v.v.i., 165 02 Prague 6

Recently, purification of raw biogas has attracted a great attention of research community. Possibility of effective waste utilization for cheap biofuel production has enormous ecological and economical benefits.

In this Ph.D. thesis a water-swollen thin film composite membrane for effective separation of carbon dioxide from methane in raw biogas would be case study. A fundamental part of the project lies in pilot plant verification of the membrane gas separation based on our patent (CZ303106) by hollow fibres modules. The subject of the doctoral thesis will be the determination of permeation properties of raw biogas by spiral wound modules, which was already successfully developed and hollow fibres modules and their comparison. On the basis of the results the most economically promising system will be chosen and it will be further developed for the commercial utilization in the industry. The candidate of the doctoral thesis will be required to elaborate a detailed literature search of foreign literature on the issue and to measure as well as to analyze the results independently. In the cooperation with the supervisor he or she will also write articles for the foreign periodic. 

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Organic Technology

Advanced Electrochemical and Photochemical Processes for Waste Water Treatment

Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Petr Kluson

Expert Supervisor: Dr. Pavel Krystynik and Dr. Duarte Tito

Department of Catalysis and Reaction Engineering

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, AS CR, 165 02 Prague 6, CZ

The proposed PhD work will be focusing mainly on advanced electrochemical methods for polluted waters decontamination. These approaches will be additionally supplied with photochemical processes as another water treatment step. The electrochemical part comprises mostly the process of electrocoagulation, the chemical part then the photochemical oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and UVC. Many technical parameters will be intially studied and optimized, such as material of electrodes, their shape, interior arrangement, construction of the photochemical reactor, type and set-up of the illuminated area, etc. Next, series of model polluted waters will be treated, followed by the treatment of extensive series of waste waters with origin on real contaminated industrial or urban sites. This activity will not be limited only on the Czech Republic. The project will be solved in close cooperation with companies Dekonta a.s. (CZ), Elentech (UK), and First Elements (UK). The doctoral project will be financially supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic for years 2015-2017.

Required education and skills

• Master degree in chemistry, environment protection, environment engineering, physics, etc.;
• systematic and creative approach to work;
• team work ability.

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Chemistry and Technology of Fuels and Environment / Chemical Processing of Fuels and Energetics

Thermal Utilization of Sewage Sludge

Supervisor: Michael Pohořelý, Ph.D.

Supervising Expert: Michal Šyc, Ph.D.

Environmental Process Engineering Laboratory

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, AS CR, 16502 Prague 6

Sewage sludge is inevitable and very difficult waste from all mechanical-biological technologies for wastewater treatment. There is still no universally applicable technology for disposal of the sludge. Sludges produced by municipal wastewater treatment plants usually contain significant amounts of heavy metals, which complicate recycling, i.e. their application to agricultural or forestry soil. As a promising procedure for the disposal of sewage sludge in recent years seems their combustion, e.g. in the fluidized bed. The advantages of this operation is one order of magnitude reduction in volume of the original waste, which is thus free of all organic compounds and utilization of the energy content of the sludge.

The main aim of the work will be to explore the influence of significant operating parameters on quality, reliability and efficiency of the combustion process of dry stabilized sewage sludge in a fluidized-bed reactor.

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Chemistry and Technology of Fuels and Environment / Chemical Processing of Fuels and Energetics

Material utilization of bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration plant

Supervisor: Michael Pohořelý, Ph.D.

Supervising Expert: Michal Šyc, Ph.D.

Environmental Process Engineering Laboratory

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, AS CR, 16502 Prague 6

Bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration contains a lot of valuable components, e.g. ferrous and non-ferrous metals, rare earth elements, glass and minerals. Following composition of bottom ash is usually stated: 5-13 % ferrous metals, 2-5 % non-ferrous metals, 15-30 % glass and ceramics, 1-5 % non-combusted residues and 50-70 % of minerals. The project will be focused on detailed analysis of bottom ash. Suitable methods for processing and utilization of bottom ash with respect to recycling valuable components and application of non-recyclable part in construction industry will be studied and developed in the project.

Requirements:

• university degree (Ing., Mgr., MSc.) in environmental engineering, environmental chemistry, chemical engineering, etc.,
• positive approach to work duties, team work ability.

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Organic technology

Phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge

Chemical composition of atmospheric nanoparticles a its dynamics

Supervisor: Ing. Jaroslav Schwarz, CSc.

Laboratory of aerosol chemistry and physics

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals AS CR, 165 02 Praha 6 – Suchdol

Nanoparticles (particles bellow 100 nm) form most of total particle number in atmosphere, butonly a small part of their mass. In the same time, they carry the largest information about their origin. However, this information is lost in common analysis of all particles because larger particles form most of the mass. Nanoparticle’s origin in high temperature processes (primary aerosol) or they are formed directly in the atmosphere by chemical reactions followed by condensation of products with a lower volatility. The aim of this thesis will be in getting information about nanoparticle’s chemical composition by combination of on-line and off-line analytical methods (AMS – aerosol mass spectrometry, IC, LC-MS). A prototype of high volume cascade impactor will be used as a pre-separator of bigger particles. The obtained data will be used to determine sources of nanoparticles in atmosphere using receptor modelling (mainly PMF method) and for determination of major precursors of secondary aerosol formation.

Required education and skills

• Master degree in physical, analytical, or organic chemistry
• systematic and creative approach to work
• both independence and team work ability

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Organic technology

Experimental and modelling study of OC/EC analytical methods

Supervisor: Ing. Jaroslav Schwarz, CSc.

Laboratory of aerosol chemistry and physics

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals AS CR, 165 02 Praha 6 – Suchdol

Organic compounds (OC) and so called elemental carbon (EC) are among major parts of atmospheric aerosols. As number of organic compounds in aerosol is uncountable, a simple quantification of all carbon present in these compounds is used and then called OC.  It is separated from EC by a thermo-optical method that use a combination of evaporation of organics in He and combustion of residues in He+O2 mixture. An optical correction is used to correct for pyrolytic carbon formed during He phase. The analytical instruments use feature with different geometrical set-ups, at which carrier gas pass around an analysed sample (quartz fibre filter with sample) or pass through the filter. This necessarily leads to a different amount of pyrolytic carbon. A detailed analysis of processes existing during the analysis and modelling of the influence of different geometrical set-ups on obtained results will be the main aim of this thesis.

 Required education and skills

• Master degree in physical, analytical, or organic chemistry
• systematic and creative approach to work with a sensitivity to a detail
• both independence and team work ability

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Chemistry and Technology of Fuels and Environment / Chemical Processing of Fuels and Energetics

Optimization of the Gasification Process in a Moving-Bed Reactor

Supervisor: Siarhei Skoblia, Ph.D.

Supervising Expert: Michael Pohořelý, Ph.D.

Environmental Process Engineering Laboratory

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, AS CR, 16502 Prague 6

The combined production of electricity and heat in small and medium decentralized units is a possible resolution to the problem of energy and economic self-sufficiency of individual regions. Conversion of solid material (fossil and alternative fuels) to a mixture of combustible gases in the multistage gasification generator in combination with its subsequent combustion in internal gas combustion engines allows for the electricity generation efficiency comparable to that of large power station blocks operated in the Czech Republic at comparable specific investment costs.

This work is focused on optimizing a multi-stage generator with the focus on improving the efficiency of the gas production process, improving its quality (reducing of unwanted components) and reducing operating costs through both adaptations and modifications of individual parts of the existing structure of the generator, and the determination of its key critical the operating parameters (temperature in the pyrolysis and oxidation section, flows of primary and secondary air, particle size and moisture content of fuel, grating intensity, etc.).

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Organic Chemistry / Inorganic Chemistry / Organic technology

Synthesis of helicenes for application in analytical chemistry and optoelectronics

Supervisor: Ing. Jan Storch, Ph.D.

Supervising Expert: Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jan Vacek, Ph.D.

The aim of this doctoral thesis will be the preparation of novel helicene derivatives and their enantiomers for preparation of functional layers by spincoating¹ and electropolymerization² techniques. The prepared layers will be further characterized and studied with respect to future applications in sensing and optoelectronics.

The candidate should have an advanced knowledge in organic chemistry together with a basic knowledge of inorganic chemistry and spectral techniques (NMR, MS, IR). Further requirements:

• master degree in organic/inorganic chemistry or organic technology
• systematic and creative approach to work
• team work ability

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Organic Chemistry / Inorganic Chemistry / Organic technology

Synthesis of pseudohelicenes and their complexes with transition metals for OLED technologies

Supervisor: Ing. Jan Storch, Ph.D.

Department of Analytical and Material Chemistry

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, AS CR, 16502 Prague 6

The aim of this doctoral thesis will be the synthesis of so called pseudohelicenes that will be further functionalized and/or complexed with transition metals for exploitation thin-film functional layers. Synthesis and the study of these new materials are directed towards new OLED systems with a prolonged lifetime and higher efficiency.

The candidate should have an advanced knowledge of organic chemistry together with a basic knowledge of inorganic chemistry and the basics of spectral techniques. We require:

• Master degree in organic/inorganic chemistry or organic technology
• systematic and creative approach to work; team work ability

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Organic Chemistry

The synthesis of layered dendrimers for bioaplications and material chemistry

Supervisor: Ing. Tomáš Strašák, PhD

Department of Analytical and Material Chemistry

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, CAS, 16502Prague 6

The aim of the project will be the synthesis of new layered dendrimers for applications in materials science and in biosciences (the actual applications will be carried out  in collaboration with an external partner). The inner hydrophobic carbosilane core will be linked to an outer layer (peripheral generation of the dendrimer) which will secure sufficient hydrophilicity of the macromolecule and in addition to that will perform other functions according to the needs of the particular application. Quarternary onium groups, modified poly(ethyleneglycols), and various saccharide derivatives will be tested among others as components of the outer layer. Thorough analysis of the products with the help of appropriate techniques (NMR, HRMS, GPC etc.) will also constitute an organic part of the project.

Required education and skills

• Master degree in organic chemistry or organic technology
• systematic and creative approach to work
• team work ability

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Organic Chemistry / Inorganic Chemistry / Organic Technology

Synthesis and Use of Transition Metal Complexes with Helical Ligands

Supervisor: Ing. Jan Sýkora, Ph.D.

Supervising Expert: Ing. Jan Storch, Ph.D.

Department of Analytical and Material Chemistry

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals AS CR, v.v.i., 165 02 Prague 6 – Suchdol

Suitable helical precursors of [6]- and [7]helicenes¹ will be synthesized. Such molecules will be easily transformed to various ligands that can be used in transition-metal catalysis. The main goal of the doctoral project will be aimed at preparation, study and characterization of transition-metal complexes of catalytically active metals bearing such helically chiral ligands, as strongly underexplored field of research in chemistry of helicenes.

The candidate should have an advanced knowledge of organic synthesis with basics of inorganic and coordination chemistry along with structural analysis techniques (multinuclear NMR, IR, MS). MSc degree, systematic and creative attitude to work and teamwork ability are required.

1. Žádný J., Velíšek P., Jakubec M., Sýkora J., Církva V., Storch J. Tetrahedron 2013, 69, 6213.

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Analytical Chemistry

Identification of biologically active compounds in natural extracts

Supervisor: Doc. Ing. Bohumil Dolenský, Ph.D.

Supervising Expert: Ing. Jan Sýkora, Ph.D

Institute of Analytical Chemistry

The aim of this doctoral thesis will be the development of analytical procedure for separation and identification of biologically active compounds in various natural extracts. In the latest stage, the work will lead toward isolation of the most active compounds.

The work group is sufficiently equipped instrumentally (HPLC, GC, MS, NMR and hyphenations of these techniques; LC-MS and LC-NMR). The sufficient suplly of the material and testing of biological activity will be provided on collaboration basis.

The candidate should have advanced knowledge of spectral methods for the characterization of organic compounds. The basic knowledge of organic chemistry or chemistry of natural compouns is welcomed.

Required education and skills

• Master degree in analytical, organic chemistry or chemistry of natural compounds
• Basic knowledge of oganic compound analysis
• systematic and creative approach to work

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Chemical Engineering

Hydrodynamic behaviour of bubbles in thin slot channels

Supervisor: Ing. Jaroslav Tihon, CSc.

Department of Multiphase Reactors

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the ASCR, v.v.i.

The aim of this project is an experimental investigation of the character of two-phase flow (gas/liquid) in thin slot channels with variable geometries. The mapping of bubble shapes and translating velocities will be carried out and the flow in a liquid film separating the bubble from the wall will be characterized. The electrodiffusion method, an original experimental technique developed in our department, will be used to determine the near-wall flow and to detect the characteristics of translating bubbles. A new type of microsensors prepared by the photolithography will be used for this purpose. The visualization experiments using a top-level high-speed camera (Redlake) and the velocity field measurements by mPIV technique (Dantec) will bring additional information on the flow structure in microchannels.

The candidate should have a M.Sc. degree in chemical engineering or in a similar applied science field. He/she should possess experimental skill for a laboratory work and some basic knowledge of hydrodynamics. However, the enthusiasm for independent scientific work is the first principal requirement. The candidate will surely profit from our long-time experience in experimental (computer-controlled measurements with subsequent data processing in LabView) and theoretical (solving the complex hydrodynamic problems in MatLab or Mathematica) fluid mechanics.

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Physical Chemistry

Transport of condensable vapor in pores of inorganic membranes

Supervisor: Ing. Petr Uchytil, CSc.

E. Hála Laboratory of Separation Processes

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, AS CR, 16502 Prague 6

The aim of this doctoral thesis will be to study vapor and gas separation by inorganic porous membranes. If a separated mixture contains condensable gas in certain pressure conditions condensation in small pores could occurred. In this case great change of separation efficiency could be expected. The condensate will restrict the transport of noncondensable substance. It could be seen from this short description that the gas transport in small pores is complicated but interesting process which has considerable particle significance.

Experiments will be done on Vycor (silica) and alumina membranes. Nitrogen, hydrogen (noncondensable gases) and butane, freon (condensable gases) will be used. The great area is open to the mathematical modeling of the gas transport in small pores of inorganic membranes.

The advantage - a M.Sc. degree in physical chemistry or in chemical engineering.

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Physical Chemistry

Mass transport in polymer membranes

Supervisor: Ing. Petr Uchytil, CSc.

E. Hála Laboratory of Separation Processes

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, AS CR, 16502 Prague 6

The project is focused on the mass transport description of permeating substances in thin liquid films. At first the flux of pure components will be measured. After that, the permeation of binary mixtures will be studied, namely systems with carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas; therefore its removal from gas streams containing air or methane falls within the most encountered separation task in practical industries.

Mutual influence of both permeated substances will be evaluated. New apparatus with TCD detector or mass spectrometer detector will be used for the experiments.

The candidate should have a M.Sc. degree in physical chemistry or in chemical engineering.

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Chemical Engineering

Break-up of bubbles/drops in a turbulent flow

Supervisor: Ing. Jiří Vejražka, Ph.D.

Department of Multiphase Reactors

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the ASCR, v.v.i., 165 02 Prague, Czech Republic

When designing industrial units, the multiphase flows (e.g. the flow of water-crude oil mixture) are often simulated by using population balance modeling (PBM) methods, which compute the evolution of bubble/drop size distribution. A required input of the PBM method is a model, which predicts the amount of bubbles/drops that breaks up into smaller particles. The break-up probability depends on the local character of the flow (especially on the local dissipation rate of turbulent energy and mean shear rate) and is also strongly influenced by the possible presence of surfactants.

The project aim is to deliever experimental data on the break-up of bubbles and drops in the turbulent flow. The applicant is will characterize the turbulent flow within an existing experimental setup (using the PIV method) and follow the bubble/drop break-up by the use of high-speed camera. Using the acquired data, a model describing the break-up probability and also the size distribution of daughter particles will be established. This model should describe the dependencies of these parameters on the local flow conditions and on the presence of surfactants.

The applicant (preferably chemical or mechanical engineer) should not be afraid of experimental rigs, computers and of simple Matlab programming.

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Physical Chemistry

High-pressure vapour-liquid equilibrium in systems containing ionic liquids suitable for carbon dioxide capture and storage

Supervisor: Ing. Zdeněk Wagner, CSc.

E. Hála Laboratory of Separation Processes

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, AS CR, 16502 Prague 6

The aim of this doctoral thesis will be to study solubility of carbon dioxide in ionic liquids at high pressure. Newly synthetized, so far uncharacterized ionic liquids with similar cation structure and different anions will be studied. The output of the study will be not only experimental determination of phase equilibrium data but also characterization of these novel ionic liquids. The influence of the cation and anion structure on the macroscopic thermodynamic properties will be studied. This influence will be examined by modelling the phase equilibria using the SAFT equation of state which will bring insight into the interactions at the molecular level. The results of the work will allow us to examine how the cation and anion structure influences the intermolecular forces and the polarity of the molecule. It will make possible to test application potential of these newly synthesized ionic liquids for carbon dioxide capture and storage as well as for other industrial processes.

Required education and skills

• Master degree in physical chemistry, physics, or organic chemistry
• systematic and creative approach to work
• team work ability

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Physical Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Transformations of aerosol particles due to changes in gaseous environment

Supervisor: Ing. Vladimír Ždímal Dr.

Supervising Expert: Ing. Jaroslav Schwarz, CSc.

Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, AS CR, 16502 Prague 6

The aerosol particles are omnipresent in the atmosphere, influencing many processes on the Earth starting from the global warming to health effects. They tend to be both in physical and chemical equilibrium with their gaseous environment, but due to dynamic changes in the atmosphere or during their transport to human lungs, the particle change during their lifetime. Therefore it is necessary to study their answers to these changes to be able to predict their fate and effects after their release to or formation in the atmosphere. The study will be done using a newly developed system of laminar flow reactors enabling to control ambient conditions of particle neigbourhood. The doctoral student is supposed to study these phenomena using advanced methods of aerosol instrumentation including on-line chemical and physical characterisation of particles by aerosol mass spectrometry.

Required education and skills

• Master degree in chemical engeneering, physical chemistry, organic technology, chemical physics, meteorology
• willingness to do experimental work and learn new things
• team work ability

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Medicals and Biomaterials / Chemical Engineering

Aerosol behavior after inhalation – an experimental study

Supervisor: Ing. Vladimír Ždímal Dr.

Supervising Expert: Ing. Jakub Ondráček, Ph.D.

Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, AS CR, 16502 Praha 6

Project deals with experimental investigations on real aerosol changes due to changing temperature and relative humidity. The topic is closely tied with two hot issues of recent aerosol research: health effects and global climate changes. Two types of experiments will be carried out. In laboratory experiments, model aerosol systems will be used representing various subgroups of atmospheric aerosols. Samples of atmospheric aerosols will be taken to observe hygroscopic behavior depending on particles origin: transport, biomass combustion, etc. Another case study will be performed on aerosol inhalers and behavior of generated particles upon their entrance to the human respiratory tract.

The project is commendable to highly motivated students capable of self-reliant work with world-class instrumentation. The student is assumed to function as a member of a team consisting of graduate students and postdocs, having frequent contacts with the international scientific community during European projects and international conferences and workshops. The laboratory is equipped by top aerosol instrumentation with a capacity to built/modify instruments for specific applications.

Reference:

• Harrison R. M., van Grieken R.E.: Atmospheric Particles, John Wiley, New York, 1998.
• Seinfeld J. H., Pandis S. N.: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, John Wiley, New York, 1998.

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Chemical Engineering / Physical Chemistry

Experimental study of condensation processes

Supervisor: Ing. Vladimír Ždímal Dr.

Supervising Expert: Ing. Tereza Trávníčková, Ph.D.

Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, AS CR, 16502 Prague 6

Condensation, thus the formation of stable droplets from the original gas mixture, is crucial for many natural and industrial processes. For the model description of the condensation process are most suitable mixtures which are sufficiently simple and yet are related to real condensing systems. Examples of such mixtures may be the water vapor in the air with the addition of a trace amount of sulfuric acid (acid rain).

The proposed work will examine the kinetics of the condensation process in various model systems. According to the chosen system one of the methods available in aerosol laboratory will be used in the study: a) static diffusion chamber; b) laminar flow diffusion chamber; or c) laminar co-flow tube.

Profile of the applicant:

• physical chemist, chemical engineer, physicist, meteorologist
• courage to do experimental work
•  motivation to learn new things

Reference:

• Brus D., Hyvärinen A.-P., Ždímal V., Lihavainen H.: Homogeneous Nucleation Rate Measurements of 1-Butanol in Helium: A Comparative Study of a Thermal Diffusion Cloud Chamber and a Laminar Flow Diffusion Chamber. J. Chem. Phys. 122(21), 214506 (2005).

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GRADUATE PROJECT IN Physical Chemistry / Environmental Sciences

Formation and transformation of atmospheric aerosol in boundary layer

Supervisor: Ing. Vladimír Ždímal Dr.

Supervising Expert: RNDr. Naděžda S. Zíková, Ph.D.

Laboratory of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, AS CR, 16502 Prague 6

The goal of this work is to study the formation of new atmospheric aerosol particles and their transformations in the planetary boundary layer. The experimental data will be measured at the Košetice – Křešín u Pacova station. The stations consists of 250 m tall measurement mast, and of professional meteorological station supplemented with atmospheric aerosol and gaseous pollutants oncentrations measurements.

Using the instruments placed both on the mast and on the ground, the atmospheric aerosol concentration fluxes will be assessed, and the changes in physical and chemical properties of the aerosol in the boundary layer will be characterized with advanced aerosol technology.

Required education and skills

• Master degree in physical chemistry, physics, meteorology, environmental sciences
• systematic and creative approach to work, team work ability
• ability to work at elevated platforms

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