This studentship is under offer.
Join an exciting PhD project in collaboration with Octoply to examine how biological/food waste from floating restaurants in canals, rivers, and similar water bodies can be converted to H2/net-zero energy source. An outstanding opportunity to develop innovative waste-to-energy solutions that advance the circular food economy and support the transition to low-carbon energy systems.
- Institution: Loughborough University
- Primary supervisor: Diganta Das
- Secondary supervisor: Dr Jonathan Wagner
- In partnership with Octoply
- Subject requirements: First-class or upper second-class degree (or equivalent) in science or engineering
- Duration of award: 4 years (full-time) up to 8 years (part-time)
- October 2026 start
Project summary
Transitioning to alternative candidate fuels poses significant challenges for both ports and ship operators. As ports diversify their fuel options, they will need expanded fuel storage infrastructure, more complex supply chain logistics, and specialised training to ensure safe handling. At the same time, ship operators must determine whether to retrofit existing vessels or invest in new ones to accommodate these fuels’ lower energy densities compared with traditional fossil fuels. This reduction in energy density, in turn, constrains vessel range, machinery requirements, and routing options, all of which must be carefully managed for effective maritime transport.
Project vision and objectives
The overarching objective of this research is to develop net-zero and negative-emission hydrogen-rich fuels by utilising wastewater and food waste as feedstocks. In the long run, these fuels will be produced on floating platforms designed to function as offshore fuelling stations for ships. By situating these platforms offshore, ports can alleviate energy storage constraints while exploring decentralised fuel production and distribution models. Additionally, these platforms can serve as inshore testbeds for assessing the feasibility of offshore expansion, allowing for iterative improvements in design and operation. To achieve this goal, a simplified demonstrator will be modelled computationally to evaluate the technological efficiency and sustainability of the proposed system. This model will provide critical insights into energy conversion efficiency, fuel storage dynamics, and overall system integration, ultimately informing advancements in large-scale implementation. By comparing performance metrics against traditional land-based systems, this study will refine existing methodologies and improve upon current fuel production and storage modelling limitations.
Among the alternative fuels under consideration, biogas and ammonia have emerged as up and coming candidates. Their production and utilisation align with circular economy principles and sustainability, offering potential pathways to achieve net-zero and even negative emissions. However, efficiently harnessing these fuels requires innovative strategies that address challenges related to production scalability, energy efficiency, and on-site storage, as discussed below.
Methods and scope
A core component of this research involves conceptual process design, advanced process modelling, and experimental testing of a demonstrator platform. The findings will contribute to the optimisation of floating fuel stations in the long run, enabling inshore and offshore deployments. In the short run, the PhD project will provide a framework for an in-depth parametric study of such a platform, e.g., simulating the effects of pressures in excess of 10 ATMs, liquid sloshing effects in these platforms etc. The project will also aim to develop an industrially relevant and simple prototype (based on the optimised process identified through computer simulations) fitted with appropriate sensors and actuators, which can lead to a full-scale facility in the future (not a PhD goal).
Impact and circular economy
By leveraging floating platforms as a model system, this research will advance technological innovation in maritime fuel infrastructure and support global efforts toward decarbonising the shipping industry. Integrating wastewater and food waste as primary feedstocks aligns this project with circular economy principles, offering a scalable and environmentally responsible approach to maritime energy production.
Collaboration
Octoply, the industrial partner of this PhD project, will be involved in building the above prototype as well as testing it at their site.
You will also receive specialist training through the Engineering Hydrogen Net Zero CDT which offers a unique blend of cutting-edge research, cohort-based collaboration, and industry exposure – equipping you to become a future leader.
Supervisor Diganta Das is happy to discuss this opportunity via email d.b.das@lboro.ac.uk.
Fees and funding
The studentship is for 4 years full-time, is fully funded with tuition fees at the UK rate covered and provides a tax-free stipend of £21,805 per annum. Additionally, £3,000 per annum is provided for consumables, travel, etc. Due to UKRI funding rules, this studentship is only available to those eligible for UK fees.
Ready to apply?
If you are a British or Irish national interested in applying, please send your CV to both of the following emails (subject line: EnerHy studentship):
d.b.das@lboro.ac.uk
enerhy.cdt@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk
To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents.
The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them make a decision on your application.
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Project code: LU-EnerHy 2026-27/003
Full-time: WSRP25 CDT Engineering Hydrogen Net Zero PhD
Part-time: WSRP56 CDT Engineering Hydrogen Net Zero PhD