Typhonix AS develops and industrializes process technology for cleaner oil production. We are located at Varhaug, outside Stavanger and today we are five employees. We are in the process of commercializing our first technologies and in connection with our upcoming activities we seek:

Industrial PhD candidate within process technology

Proposed Working Title: Optimising separation processes by controlling turbulence and shear forces in petroleum flows.

Background: Turbulence and shear forces in petroleum flows influence separation of the petroleum phases. Flow turbulence and fluid mixing in process pipes and equipment may in one case degrade, whilst in others improve downstream separation. Technological solutions optimising shear forces and turbulence in petroleum flows are approaching. Typhonix is a specialist company developing separation friendly technologies like valves and pumps.

Produced water is water co-produced with oil from the reservoir. The water is typically separated from oil by means of large two or three-phase separators. After separation, small amounts of oil remains dispersed in the produced water. A process is therefore established to treat the water before it is discharged to the environment, or pumped back to the reservoir. Depending on the conditions of the produced water, and on the processes to treat it, the turbulence which the flowing produced water flow is exposed to will either degrade or improve the downstream separation efficiency.

Study framework:

Generally: 

Study and establish relationships between controlled turbulence in produced water flows and crude oil droplet coalescence or breaking and the consequences for downstream oil/water separation efficiency.
 

Particularly:

a. Experiments: Through laboratory investigations involving an established methodology in the Typhonix Laboratory, apply typical produced water compositions, including various crudes, concentrations and droplet sizes and establish flow conditions were the degree of imposed turbulence can be adjusted and optimised.

b. Measurements and analysis: Measure droplet size and establish a supplemental technique suitable for the determination of shear- or dissipation rates.

c. Synthesis: Establish correlations between experimental results, physical properties of the flow (turbulence), physical/chemical properties of the dispersed oil (e.g. concentration, viscosity, density, surface tension etc) and the resulting droplet size distribution and shear/dissipation rates.

d. Optimise: Through laboratory testing, qualify and quantify improvements in produced water treatment by the use of an optimised turbulence control.

e. Technological sustainability: Substantiate process benefits (process, economical, environmental) from applying turbulence control in real field produced water applications.
 

Requirements:

- MSc within process technology, process chemistry, petroleum technology

  or environmental technology

- Strong written and oral presentation skills  

- Interested in product development and innovation

- Experience/interest in offshore oil and gas processing

- Teamwork skills

- Result-oriented
 

We can offer:

- An academically challenging position in an ambitious start-up company

- Competitive salary

Applications with Curriculum Vitae should be submitted to CEO Ole Jørgen Engelsvoll ole.engelsvoll@typhonix.com

If you have questions please contact us at +47 93 40 12 94

For more information on the Industrial Ph.D. Programme at the Norwegian Research Council see: www.rcn.no/naeringsphd