Mission
Chemical Process and Materials
Our motto: Chemical Process for Materials and Materials for Chemical Processes
Fields of Expertise
We work in an interdisciplinary team consisting of Materials Scientists, Chemical and Mechanical Engineers, Chemists, Physicist and Biologists.
Recent Work
Recent work focussed on * nucleation and crystallization processes * * size-resolved elemental anaylysis of gasborne nanoparticles * * sorption processes for the cleaning of gases and fluids * * recovery of rare earth elements and phosphor from wastes and residues * * algal biomass and its applications for waste water treatment, biofuels and chemicals *
Organization
Team
Student corner
Master and internship projects at PSI and EPFL
You want to perform an internship, design project (EPFL students only) or master thesis in our resaerch group at PSI or EPFL? In case you are an EPFL student please contact the responsible project leader or pass by at the EPFL office of Prof. Ludwig on Wednesday at 17:30. In case you are performing your studies outside of EPFL, please contact our secretary Gisela Herlein to arrange a call or meeting with Prof. Ludwig: gisela.herlein@psi.ch
Prof. Dr. Christian LudwigHead of research group Master thesis or internship. We culture microalgae by using anerobic digestates from agricultural biogas plants. Removal of biological contaminations (e.g. bacteria, rotifers) from microalgae cultures by using photo-Fenton reaction. If you are interested to perform a master thesis on this topic please contact Mr. Adrian Pulgarin: adrian.pulgarin@epfl.ch
Adrian PulgarinPhD student Master thesis project. Microalgae contain valuable materials and can contribute to more sustainable production pathways.
If this topic is of interest to you, do not hesitate to contact Mr. Enio Zanchetta: enio.zanchetta@epfl.ch
Enio ZanchettaPhD student Recycling of Rare Earth Elements. We perform laboratory investigations as well as theoretical studies (economic and chemical). In case you are interested to perform an internship or master thesis at PSI, please contact Dr. Ajya Patil: ajay.patil@psi.ch
Dr. Ajay PatilSenior Scientist You want to perform a master thesis, internship, or part of your PhD thesis on Nanomaterials Synthesis at PSI? Please contact Dr. Andrea Testino: andrea.testino@psi.ch
Dr. Andrea TestinoSenior Scientist Interested in a semester project on Phosphorus recycling using the Hard Process?
The short project will investigate the current technologies for Phosphorus recycling from different feedstocks (including incinerated Sewage sludge) and its applicability to the Hard Process and formation different products. In addition to the overall process, the project should also focus on the chemistry taking place during recovery.
Ideal background: Chemical Engineering
For further information contact Dr. Bhavish Patel: bhavish.patel@psi.ch
Dr. Bhavish PatelPostdoc Master Project on "Material & Energy flow of Phosphorous recycling technologies"
This project aims to investigate the material and energy flows of various phosphorus recycling technologies and feedstocks. A comparison between thermal process (Hard Process) and wet processing route will be investigated along with some cost data to develop a process cost for selected technologies.
Background: Chemical Engineer, possibly also an Environmental Engineer
Contact: bhavish.patel@psi.ch
Dr. Bhavish PatelPostdoc Thermodynamic Modelling of sewage sludge ash volatilisation
Master project on "Recovery of Phosphorus and metallic components from incinerated sewage sludge". This offers an opportunity toward a closed loop resource economy. The project will compute thermodynamic equilibrium calculations (e.g. using HSC Chemistry) for components present in the ash and data validated using experimentation in the laboratory.
Background: Chemist/Chemical Engineer
Contact: bhavish.patel@psi.ch
Dr. Bhavish PatelPostdoc We can offer a master thesis project at EPFL in collaboration with an external partner who is working on the implementation of an algae production plant in Switzerland. The project has a strong application character and is described by our partner as follows:
"Dans le cadre du développement d'une Bio-raffinerie micro-algale, il est proposé à un(e ) étudiant(e ) en master le sujet suivant : étude d'un milieu de culture clos du type photo-bioréacteur, définition du spectre lumineux utile et des différentes intensités afin d'optimiser le cycle photosynthétique de croissance de différentes souches de micro-algues. Définition des modèles optimaux de croissance en fonction des souches. Recherche bibliographique et détermination de l'état de l'art puis tests sur un modèle de photo-bioréacteur grandeur nature."
In case you are interested in the project, please contact Eya Damergi: eya.damergi@epfl.ch
Eya DamergiPhD studentPublications
Former master thesis projects:
- Borgmeyer, T., High Temperature Recovery of Phosphorus from Mineralized Bio-Waste. A Preliminary Experimental Study and Economic Evaluation, TUM master thesis (2019) performed at EPFL and PSI
- Arya, A., Cattle Manure to Biomethane: A Techno-Economic Assessment of Small and Medium Scale Value Chains in the Swiss Context, EPFL master thesis (2019)
- Pietro, J.M., H. pluvialis Grown under Autotrophic or Mixotrophic Conditions: Effects on Astaxanthin Accumulation, EPFL master thesis (2018)
- Garcia Kappeler, A., Culture of microalgae using digestate from the anaerobic digestion of agricultural waste as substrate, EPFL master thesis (2018)
- Tosi Robinson, D., Supercritical Water Gasification of Effluents from Composted Human Excreta and Recycling of the Aqueous phases for microalgae cultivation, EPFL master thesis (2017)
- Anniba, A., Creating Secondary Markets from Available Recyclabels in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaima, EPFL (2016)
- Dugand, M., Organic Waste in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaima, EPFL (2016)
- Pezeu, Y., Evaluation des limites et capacité de la technolgie de déshydratation dénommée réducteur de matière organique, EPFL (2016)
- Pontvianne, F., Cultivation of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris in human urine using photovoltaic bioreactor technology, EPFL (2016)
- Carel, V. Hydrothermal Treatment of Household Wastewater: Opportunity as On-site System Combined with Microalgae Culture, EPFL (2016) This thesis was one of the two selected master theses of the Environmental Engineering Section to be presented at the “vernissage de l’exposition des Projets de Master ENAC” on September 28th, 2016
- Krois, D., Plastic Trading in India – Characterising a Plastic Trading Cluster (Tikri Kalan Delhi), EPFL (2016)
- Fernandez, J., Biomolecules Characterization of Algal Biomass Cultivated using Photovoltaic-Bioreactor Technology, EPFL (2016)
- Urio, O., Photovoltaic Assisted Algae Production: A Synergistic Combination of Urine Treatment and the Production of Valuable Compounds, EPFL (2015)
- Ventura, J., Oxygenic Photosynthesis and Renewable Hydrogen, EPFL (2014)
- Damergi, E., Optimisation du Processus Sunchem: Valorisation des Effluents et l’Extraction des Produits à Haute Valeur Ajoutée (Caroténoïdes), FSM, Monastir, Tunisia and EPFL (2014)
- Xu, W., End-of-Life Vehicles in Wuhan City, China, EPFL (2013)
- Madi, H., Lagrangian Approach to Study Catalytic Fluidized Bed Reactors, EPFL (2012)
- León, J., Modelling Computer Waste in the Formal and the Informal Sector - A Case Study in Colombia, EPFL (2010) (Award: This thesis obtained the annual prize of BG Consulting Engineers for an excellent master thesis in the field of “Systems and Sustainable Development”)
- Lüthi, J. Die Rolle der Holzenergie für die Energieversorgung in der Schweiz aus Sicht der Ökobilanzierung, EPFL (2010)
- Molina, M.L., Effect of trace metals (Cr, Zr, and Ti) on the growth of microalgae, MS thesis of National University of Tucuman, Argentina, work performed at EPFL (2009/10)
- Gattiker, C., Assessment of production and hydrothermal conversion of microalgae to synthetic natural gas for transportation, EPFL (2009)
- Villard, C., A fertilizer produced from sewage sludge ash: Zn speciation and uptake by plants, EPFL (2009)
- Badawi, N., Analysis of Pollutants Emissions/Immissions from a Landfill in Soil and Water, Cali, Colombia: Heavy Metals, EPFL (2008)
- Maric, A., Identification of As-Cu-FA complexes in laboratory samples and characterization of association between arsenic and dissolved organic matter in China’s groundwater EPFL (2008)
- Douçot, D., Municipal Waste and Recycled Material Flow Analysis of Ho Chi Minh City – Focus on Private Collection and Recycling Activities, EPFL (2008)
- Silberstein, V., Prédicition des flux des élements traces au cours de la réaction des mâchfers avec les poussières de ciment enriches en chlore, EPFL (2008).
- Loonker, P., A Mathematical Model Approach to Estimate and Forecast Electronic Waste: Case Studies of Delhi and Switzerland, Indian Inst. of Technol. Delhi (2007)
- Fellmann, Th., Modellierung des Verhaltens von Spurenelementen im Drehrohr bei der thermischen Behandlung von Abfällen, ETHZ (2007)
- Brandenberger, M., Catalyst Dissolution and Biomass Gasification Studies under Hydrothermal Conditions, EPFL (2007)
- Suquet, S., Influence of Ni and Ru on microalgae growth and productivity, EPFL (2007)
- Steubing, B., E-Waste Generation in Chile – Situation Analysis an an Estimation of Actual and Future Computer Waste Quantities Using Material Flow Analysis, EPFL (2007)
- Fonjallaz, D. Investigation of Complex Formation of Arsenic with Organic Matter in Ground Water (China), EPFL (2007)
Contact
- Paul Scherrer Institute, Energy and Environment, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
- +41 (0)56 310 21 11
- +41 (0)56 310 21 99
- Secretary at PSI: Gisela Herlein Secreatry at EPFL: Marie Sudki Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu 14:00-17:00
