Practical trainings, student assistants and theses

Vanadium and manganese are essential in high-strength steel alloys, battery technologies (notably vanadium redox flow batteries), and various chemical processes. Due to their industrial significance, recovering these metals from residual wash water along with leaching acids promotes environmental and economic sustainability. This study aims to Investigate and optimize a membrane filtration (nanofiltration) process for the selective recovery of vanadium and manganese, along with acid reclamation, from both acid raffinate and residue wash water solutions. The research evaluates the performance of various membranes focusing on their efficiency in concentrating vanadium and manganese while minimizing the co-permeation of iron, calcium, and other minor elements.
The objective of the work is to develop a process yielding a concentrated solution rich in vanadium and manganese for further precipitation, solid-liquid separation and hydrometallurgical steps, ultimately facilitating the recovery of vanadium as vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅). The outcomes will offer valuable insights into the design and operation of membrane filtration systems for recovering critical metals and leaching agents from industrial effluents, supporting sustainable resource management practices in the metallurgical industry.
In addition to metal recovery, this research addresses acid reclamation following solvent extraction (SX) and supported liquid membrane process, with the goal of reducing chemical consumption. Acid recovery from the raffinate will be also explored, with organic contaminants removed via sorbents, such as activated charcoal. The reclaimed acid can then be recycled back into the leaching circuit, establishing a more sustainable process loop.

• Educational Background: Bachelor's / Master’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering or related field

• Knowledge of hydrometallurgical processes and membrane separation technologies
• Basic laboratory skills and familiarity with equipment for Nano filtration, filtration testing, and solution analysis
• Knowledge of analytical techniques such as ICP-MS, AAS, or similar for metal concentration analysis

• Conduct a literature review on nanofiltration technology and its application in metal and acid recovery
• Design and carry out laboratory experiments with selected nanofiltration membranes, focusing on variables like pressure, pH, and concentration
• Analyze and interpret data on membrane selectivity, flux rates, fouling resistance, and metal-acid recovery efficiency
• Optimize filtration conditions through experimentation, targeting high recovery rates for vanadium and manganese
• Prepare a comprehensive thesis report and, if possible, present findings at relevant conferences or workshops

• Duration: 6 months
• Start Date: Start in 2025 is possible
• Funding: Remuneration according to HZDR internal regulations
• Supervision and Support: The candidate (f/m/d) will be supervised with regular guidance, training on laboratory protocols, and support in analytical techniques