Waste Heat Recovery, Process Optimisation and Carbon Footprint Assessment for a Tyre-to-Hydrogen Pilot Plant
Engineering, IT, Mathematics and Statistics
ABOUT THE INDUSTRY PARTNER
Clean Energy Resources Geelong (CERG), is pioneering a pathway to a greener future by transforming waste into renewable hydrogen and green energy. They offer an innovative, emission-free solution that generates clean energy on demand, reshaping how waste and energy production are conceived.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
This project provides a unique opportunity to work on a first-of-kind waste tyre-to-hydrogen pilot facility and apply advanced research skills to real-world clean energy challenges.
Students will have opportunities to:
- Collaborate closely with industry engineers and university researchers with expertise in hydrogen production, pyrolysis, thermochemical processing and circular economy technologies.
- Gain hands-on industry experience through access to operational pilot plant data and industrial-scale process challenges.
- Develop expertise in process modelling, energy systems, carbon accounting, lifecycle assessment and technology optimisation.
- Utilise specialised process simulation and LCA software, subject to availability and applicable university licensing arrangements.
- Build industry networks and strengthen pathways to future careers in hydrogen, renewable energy, process engineering, sustainability and carbon management.
- Generate research outputs that may contribute to technology development and future commercial deployment.
- Shape the project direction around their existing technical strengths and research interests.
RESEARCH TO BE CONDUCTED
The broad research focus is to improve the operational efficiency, hydrogen production performance and environmental sustainability of CERG’s tyre-to-hydrogen technology.
Depending on the successful candidate’s expertise and research interests, the project may focus on one or more of the following areas:
1. Process Modelling and System Analysis
- Develop and validate process simulation models for the tyre-to-hydrogen plant, preferably using Aspen Plus or equivalent industry-standard software.
- Conduct mass and energy balance assessments across key processing stages, including pyrolysis, reforming, hydrogen purification, carbon capture and utilisation, and energy recovery.
- Analyse plant performance under different operating conditions to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Apply thermochemical process modelling techniques to better understand waste tyre conversion and hydrogen production.
2. Waste Heat Recovery and Energy Integration
- Identify opportunities to recover and reuse waste heat generated throughout the plant.
- Investigate heat integration strategies to reduce energy consumption and improve overall process efficiency.
- Evaluate thermal management approaches, heat exchanger network designs and pinch analysis techniques.
- Assess alternative cooling and steam generation strategies to optimise energy utilisation.
3. Hydrogen Yield Optimisation
- Investigate process modifications and operating conditions that could improve hydrogen production.
- Evaluate reforming, water-gas shift and other relevant reaction processes.
- Conduct sensitivity analyses to identify key operating and design parameters influencing hydrogen yield and energy efficiency.
- Assess alternative thermochemical conversion pathways and their potential to improve hydrogen production.
4. Sustainability and Carbon Footprint Assessment
- Develop lifecycle assessment (LCA) models using software such as SimaPro, openLCA or equivalent tools.
- Evaluate the carbon footprint and broader environmental impacts of the tyre-to-hydrogen process, considering relevant international standards and hydrogen certification frameworks.
- Identify opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through process improvements and energy integration.
- Assess environmental trade-offs associated with energy consumption, water use and material inputs.
University Research Collaboration and Technical Requirements
CERG is particularly interested in partnering with a university research group that has demonstrated expertise in pyrolysis, thermochemical waste treatment, waste-to-energy conversion or related technologies.
Preference will be given to candidates supported by academic supervisors with relevant research experience and access to suitable research facilities and technical resources.
The host university will need to have access to Aspen Plus and relevant LCA software, such as SimaPro or openLCA and confirm that licences permit their use for this pilot research project.
Beyond the immediate internship, CERG is interested in developing an ongoing research relationship with the selected university. This may create opportunities for further collaborative research and potential joint funding applications, including through the CRC-P program in 2027.
The final project scope will be developed collaboratively between CERG, the successful PhD candidate and their academic supervisor, taking into account the candidate’s expertise, available project data, university research capabilities, software access and CERG’s pilot scale research and development objectives.
SKILLS WISH LIST
If you’re a postgraduate research student and meet some or all the below we want to hear from you. We strongly encourage women, indigenous and disadvantaged candidates to apply:
CERG welcomes applications from PhD candidates in:
- Chemical Engineering
- Process Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Sustainable Systems Engineering
- Related disciplines
Candidates may bring expertise in one or more of the following areas:
Highly Desirable
- Process simulation and modelling (Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS or equivalent)
- Thermodynamics and heat transfer
- Pyrolysis, thermochemical conversion or waste-to-energy processes
- Energy systems analysis
- Process optimisation
- Data analysis and modelling
- Technical report writing and communication
Desirable
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), including experience with SimaPro, openLCA or equivalent software
- Carbon accounting and greenhouse gas assessment
- Sustainability assessment methodologies
- Hydrogen technologies
- Gasification, reforming or related thermochemical processes
- Process control and systems engineering
- Python, MATLAB, Excel or other analytical tools
Students from diverse technical backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The project can be adapted to leverage the successful candidate’s existing skills while providing opportunities to develop new capabilities.
Preference may be given to candidates affiliated with research groups that have demonstrated expertise in pyrolysis or thermochemical waste treatment and can provide relevant academic supervision and technical support.
RESEARCH OUTCOMES
Depending on the successful candidate’s expertise and the agreed project scope, expected outcomes may include:
- Development and validation of process simulation and energy models for CERG’s tyre-to-hydrogen technology.
- Identification of opportunities to reduce energy consumption, recover waste heat and improve overall plant efficiency.
- Assessment of process improvements to optimise hydrogen production and operational performance.
- Lifecycle assessment and carbon footprint analysis to better understand the environmental impacts and sustainability of the technology.
- Delivery of technical reports, modelling outputs and presentations outlining key findings and recommendations for CERG.
- Potential academic outputs, including conference papers, journal publications or thesis contributions, subject to agreed intellectual property and confidentiality arrangements.
- Establishment of a research relationship with a university group specialising in pyrolysis, thermochemical waste treatment or related technologies.
- Identification of opportunities for ongoing research collaboration, including potential future CRC-P funding applications.
The final research outcomes will be agreed upon by the successful PhD candidate, academic supervisor(s) and CERG industry supervisors to ensure the project delivers practical industry benefits while supporting the student’s academic development.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
The intern will receive $3,300 per month of the internship, usually in the form of scholarship payments.
It is expected that the intern will primarily undertake this research project during regular business hours and maintain contact with their academic mentor throughout the internship either through face-to-face or phone meetings as appropriate.
The intern and their academic mentor will have the opportunity to negotiate the project’s scope, milestones and timeline during the project planning stage.
Please note, applications are reviewed regularly and this internship may be filled prior to the advertised closing date if a suitable applicant is identified. Early submissions are encouraged.
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