Waste & Combined Heat and Power
Different forms of biomass, such as plant waste, can be an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil fuels and raw materials. It can also be used as a raw material in the chemicals and materials industry. It is estimated that biomass has the potential to provide 25% of the world's energy needs. It is particularly suited to use as a raw material for heavy fuels for marine and aircraft propulsion and as a base material for the chemicals industry.
\At TU Delft, we conduct research into how non-edible biomass (agricultural waste, forestry residues, seaweed, sludge, sewage waste, micro-algae) can be converted into energy carriers and biochemicals using thermal, chemical and biotechnological techniques (biobased economy). We also conduct research into the transport and logistics of biomass.
Master thesis
The following departments offer graduation projects in the Combined Heat and Power profile:
- Chemical Engineering (Applied Sciences)
- Process and Energy (Mechanical Engineering)
Examples of graduation projects
- Furfural generation from sugar and seawater plant: synthesis and characterization of potentially useful humin by-products as energy carrier to improve biorefinery operation; student Daniel Schöler
- \Bubbling fluidized bed gasifier design and process modelling for syngas production based on Indonesian rice husk; student Maurits Theo Halomoan (Indonesië)
- Converting fecal matter from waste to resource - exploring practicalities of processing human faeces in South Africa and modelling of energy efficiency; student Koen Ubbink (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation project)
- ustainability analysis of a new biomass gasification system to produce substitute natural gas based on manure; student Georgios Gkranas
- Lab-Scale Experimental Torrefaction of Bagasse and the Development of a Semi-Empirical Kinetic Model; student Easwaran Krishnamurthy