Thesis/intern at micropollutants removal from water

The presence of organic micropollutants (OMPs), such as pharmaceuticals, personal care compounds, and hormones, has emerged as a threat to human and environmental health. UV radiation-based technologies have been developed to remove OMPs from water. Especially, with the application of UV treatment at the low wavelength, 185nm as in vacuum UV, even the most persistent micropollutants, such as PFAS, can be removed and degraded. Photons of 185nm are strongly absorbed by water, generating strong oxidants (e.g. HO∙) and reductants (e.g. eaq- and H∙) for the degradation of OMPs. The reaction kinetics of complex chemistry during the process is not fully understood. At Wetsus, we will combine kinetic modeling with experimental observation to better understand and utilize the VUV technology.
This project will focus on finding optimal experimental (pH, DO, time, etc,.) conditions for PFAS degradation in VUV processes using a collimated beam reactor.

***To apply for this project, one must be currently enrolled as a BSc or MSc student (non-EU citizens must be enrolled at a Dutch university).

*Duration: >5 months, starting in June 2023; a later starting time is possible.
*Allowance: €200-400 per month, subject to personal situation.

If interested, please send your CV (max. 2 pages) and motivation letter (max. 1 page) to [email protected].