Full PhD scholarship

Development, modelling and experimental verification of a microwave-heated, cavitation-induced distillation vessel to improve the cold-flow properties of palm oil biodiesel One problem associated with the usage of palm oil biodiesel in power generation and in the transportation sector is the limitation imposed by the cold flow properties of the fuel. The Cold Filter Plugging Point of palm oil biodiesel is around +12°C, the highest among all biodiesel types, which means that this fuel can only be used in tropical countries. To overcome the problem, the biodiesel purity has to be improved. This can be done by a new cavitation-induced microwave heating distillation.  Ultrasonic transducers are used to generate cavitation within the biodiesel flow in a distillation vessel. Generated in-flow cavitation enhances heat and mass transfer within the flow, which will simultaneously, heated by the applying microwave energy. Light fractions of methyl ester will be evaporated from the reactor’s high temperature region and condensed at the low temperature region of the distillation vessel. This project involves design and experimental work of ultrasound-microwave assisted distillation vessel. The Scholarship includes both tuition fee and stipend for a period of three years. Interested candidate please send a copy of CV and cover letter to:  

Dr Law Ming Chiat Faculty of Engineering & Science Curtin University Sarawak Malaysia

Tel: +60 85 443824

Fax:+60 85 443838  

Email: m.c.law@curtin.edu.my