Research Topics for PhD Students
The Engineering Division at UNNC is currently providing a number of PhD research topics related to green manufacturing in China. Here, I would like to introduce the following topical area (if you are interested or would like to have more information, please do not hesitate to contact me directly by phone or email – see contact page):
Resource and energy efficient polymer processing in the Chinese context
Supervisors: Dr Carsten Tietje, Dr Kuan Yoong Chan (Supervision between the campuses to be settled for each individual student)
The energy consumption and efficiencies of various production systems and processes in place in China are not entirely understood and documented. Polymer processing is seen as a major contributor to the industrial energy consumption in Europe, USA, Japan, but in particular China.
The research is set in the plastics manufacturing sector focussing particularly on reducing energy consumption and increasing resource efficiency. At present, many companies have already initiated measures to address these issues. Nevertheless, it is widely acknowledged that the energy intensity of most industrial processes is still much higher than theoretically possible and practically necessary[1]. Saving potentials not being clear is one of the main barriers to identifying and implementing energy efficiency improving measures[2]. In that context it is essential to analyse the whole process chain.
In order to address this gap the industrial needs and requirements in China need to be analysed in depth. This provides the basis for developing a holistic framework for process and product design optimisation that can be applied by Chinese companies to reduce their environmental impact. Main development work includes the analysis and formulation of environmental process characteristics and the development of process models that focus on energy and resource efficiency aspects. This framework will be verified and demonstrated in cooperation with an industrial partner.
[1] Energy Technology Perspectives 2006: Scenarios and strategies to 2050. International Energy Agency, Paris, 484 pp.
[2] http://www.skz.de
