BAM's Division Process Analytical Technology is looking for a student (f/m/d) to write a master thesis:
Optimization and validation of a precision dynamic dilution setup for preparation of primary reference gas mixtures in hydrogen
Description
BAM is currently strengthening its research and development activities in line with the national and European hydrogen strategy. Hydrogen is the key element for the clean energy transition in different sectors of modern society. In this context, hydrogen quality must comply with standards such as ISO 14687:2019. That means in some cases impurities must be controlled strictly at the level of trace concentrations as they damage consumer devices, like hydrogen fuel cells. The task of BAM is to provide so-called “primary gaseous reference standards” with the lowest possible uncertainties which are traceable to the International System of Units (SI). These are used to calibrate sensors and analytical devices for hydrogen quality analysis. The production of such mixtures is currently still the subject of research and further development.
Many reference standards (e.g. synthetic natural gas) are produced gravimetrically, which all components are determined by fine weighing. This approach has proven to be most accurate, however, the operation of dilution is very challenging in the case of reactive species (impurities) down to trace levels, due to known instability phenomena of such gas mixtures in the pressurized gas bottles. For this and other various reasons, dynamic methods have to be employed such as the dilution of stable premixtures with ultra-pure hydrogen using high-precision mass flow controllers.
Your duties
Within the scope of the project, a dynamic precision dilution plant will be built from existing components and its operating parameters optimized. The diluted gas is analyzed online using gas chromatographs and other analytical precision methods. The results are validated against known methods and reference gases.
Part of the work is experimental and requires courage to try new things and concepts in the assembly, control, or automation of the equipment components. Another part deals with data evaluation and assessment of the experiments.
Your qualifications
- Bachelor degree in the field of process engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, or a cognate discipline
- Basic knowledge of instrumental analytical techniques
- Possessing basic mechanical skills for assembly
- Fluent proficiency in spoken and written English
- Good social and communication skills and capacity to work in a team as well as independently.
- Good programming and data analysis skills, such as e.g. Matlab, Python, MS office, and Origin
Contact
Dr.-Ing. Peyman Khanipour
Division Process Analytical Technology
Phone: +49 30 8104-5961
Email: peyman.khanipourmehrin@bam.de