Projects
Chemistry improvement thanks to Separation by membrane processes KU Leuven
Two of the major hurdles for the chemical industry transition toward the “chemical factory of the future” are the ability to design (i) efficient and selective catalytic transformations of renewables and (ii) eco-efficient separation processes to retrieve and purify the product(s) and catalyst(s). Future generations of researchers (academic &industry) will need to be trained and equipped with these expertise that constitute the main goal ...
Mathematical modelling of membrane separation processes KU Leuven
This PhD thesis is dedicated to the modelling of membrane separation processes. During this research, models have been developed for the following processes: direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD), sweeping gas membrane distillation (SGMD) and anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) equipped with the magnetically induced membrane vibration (MMV) system. The proposed models for DCMD and SGMD are general predictive. In particular, these ...
Efficient design of continuous countercurrent solvent extraction processes for separation of rare earths (ELECTRA) KU Leuven
Solvent extraction is an important separation technique for purification of rare-earth elements that are essential for the permanent magnets used in motors of electric vehicles, wind turbines, .... However, the design of solvent extraction processes is a labour-intensive and time-consuming process, with many laboratory experiments. The objective of the ELECTRA project is to simplify the design of solvent extraction processes in the metallurgy ...
SuPER-W - Sustainable processes for energy and resource recovery from water. / Development of novel nanofiltration membranes for selective separation of organics and inorganics Ghent University
In many cases energy, water and resources contained in wastewater may have significant value if recovered. Therefore, the EU is currently confronted with a paradigm shift from wastewater treatment to resource recovery. To facilitate this shift, the SuPER-W European Joint Doctorate programme trains early-stage researchers (ESRs) in developing technologies for water, energy, nutrient and metal reuse, and bioproduction from (waste)water. The ...
Process Intensification Strategies for Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Separation Systems KU Leuven
The proposed interdisciplinary research will develop sustainable separation systems for addressing challenges in water & wastewater treatment, resource recovery, zero liquid discharge and sensing applications. Two research programs are proposed to explore multi-scale process intensification strategies: 1) from micro- to milli-level, the roles of transport-limiting factors, materials chemistry and morphological structure associated with ...
Development of an integrated population balance/hydrodynamic model to optimize the water-sludge separation process in wastewater treatment Ghent University
This study deals with membrane bioreactors (MBR), combining biological treatment with membrane separation technology. An integral model will be developed describing the MBR processes, i.e. biological processes, filtration processes and changes in particle size of the activated sludge. For the latter a mechanistic submodel will be developed describing the changes in particle size distribution by using population balance models.
Non-aqueous separation process for the purification of the lutetium-177 medical radioisotope KU Leuven
A novel treatment of cancer makes use of radio-isotopes coupled to a biological vector with the goal to selectively irradiate the tumor and limit damage to surrounding tissue. One possible isotope that can be used for this treatment is lutetium-177. This isotope can be produced by irradiation of a ytterbium-176 target. To use the produced lutetium it has to be separated from the target material. When dissolved in an aqueous solution they will ...
Development of a capacitive separation process for the removal of ions from concentrated mixed brines Ghent University
The main problem wflh treating mixed concentrates is the mixed nature of the brines containing both high levels of salts and organic matter. The high salt content limits inexpensive biological treatment options to reduce organic matter while the abundant presence of organic matter limits the use of conventional desalting
technologies. It Is therefore clear that a reduction in concentrate load should start with the separation of ...
Study of reaction kinetics in continuous processes fot actinide separations KU Leuven
The main objectives of this PhD project are to study the reaction kinetics and mass transfer efficiency of different novel solvent extraction systems for actinide separations, and to investigate how the efficiency of solvent extraction processes can be influenced by changing the contact time in a centrifugal contactor. The current lack of reliable experimental data makes is difficult to define suitable process parameters, and optimize ...