HW-3-5 From Pollution to Resource: Process Modelling for Electrochemical Valorisation of Flue Gas

About the Project

This PhD is one of a number of projects hosted by the Centre for Doctoral Training in Green Industrial Futures (CDT-GIF). We are offering pioneering research projects that will enable PhD researchers to explore key technologies and solutions that will support UK industry to reach net zero.

Project Description

The use of CO₂ as a resource and feedstock for chemical synthesis has been proposed as a way to cut reliance on fossil fuels and to reduce global anthropogenic CO₂ emissions by around 10%. Among the many sources of CO₂, flue gas from fossil fuel combustion and industrial activity stands out as a major, localised, and concentrated stream that can be directly targeted. Flue gas is composed primarily of nitrogen, but it also contains up to 33% CO₂, water vapor, and smaller amounts of other harmful pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides. Tackling flue gas emissions is therefore a powerful and practical strategy for curbing greenhouse gases at their point of release.

Nitrogen oxide emissions are often overlooked, even though their environmental and health consequences are profound. As key drivers of smog, acid rain, and ozone layer depletion, these compounds destabilize ecosystems and harm human health. Meanwhile, nitrous oxide, the third most abundant nitrogen oxide component, is itself a greenhouse gas with nearly 300 times the warming potential of CO₂. The steady rise in atmospheric nitrogen oxides demands urgent solutions. Beyond mitigation, these pollutants and their derivatives such as nitrites and nitrates represent an untapped opportunity as they can be converted into valuable products.

This project aims to address both challenges by developing process models for an electrochemical platform that can simultaneously purify and valorise CO₂ and nitrogen oxides from industrial flue gas. The work begins with thermodynamics-based models, which will then evolve in complexity to account for additional factors needed to achieve realistic and adaptable process models for industrial use. The end goal is to deliver robust tools capable of guiding industrial-scale implementation.

Supervisors

• John Andresen / cdtgreenindustrialfutures@hw.ac.uk
• Susana Garcia

Application Criteria

As a minimum we require candidates to have a First-class or 2:1 MEng or and MSc with merit (over 60%) in a relevant area i.e. Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Geoscience etc. Candidates for socio-politico-economic research topics will also be considered with a relevant MA. Applicants who have a First-class BSc/BEng (Hons) and can demonstrate significant relevant industry/research experience may also be considered.

Candidates should be aware of and meet the entry requirements for the university hosting the PhD studentship.

Having experience developing codes and programmes in Python and/or being familiar with chemical and process engineering software such as Aspen/Hysys is desirable.

Funding Notes

The programme is four years and starts in September 2026. Funding includes full UK fees, tax-free stipend (2025/2026 stipend is £20,780), plus budget for travel and consumables.

Enquiries

cdtgreenindustrialfutures@hw.ac.uk