Background
High Pressure Processing (HPP) for food preservation and battery densification are technologies that contribute to improved public health, reduced waste, and the transition towards a more sustainable society. Companies investing in high-pressure equipment expect high reliability, long service life, and a low total cost of ownership.
As energy costs continue to rise and sustainability requirements become increasingly important, the energy efficiency and environmental impact of industrial equipment have become key decision factors for customers. Understanding how energy is consumed throughout the process and identifying opportunities for energy reduction and recovery are therefore of growing importance.
Quintus high-pressure systems operate at pressures of up to 600 MPa and, depending on the application, may also require precisely controlled process temperatures of up to 150°C. These processes demand significant amounts of energy, primarily for fluid pressurization, heating, cooling, and operation of supporting systems. A considerable share of the supplied energy is ultimately dissipated as heat, creating opportunities to investigate how energy can be reduced, recovered, reused, or managed more efficiently.
Improving the energy performance of these systems has the potential to reduce operating costs, lower carbon emissions, and strengthen the sustainability profile of both Quintus equipment and our customers’ production processes.
Task description
The task is to map the complete energy balance of a high-pressure system, identifying major energy consumers, and evaluating technical solutions that can increase efficiency, recover waste energy, and reduce the overall carbon footprint of the equipment throughout its operational lifetime. In addition to the technical evaluation, the feasibility of proposed improvements should be assessed from an economic perspective, including implementation cost, potential energy savings, and payback time. The goal is to identify solutions that are not only technically viable but also economically justified for both Quintus and our customers.
This project offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of advanced high-pressure technology, sustainability, and business value creation, contributing to the development of more energy-efficient solutions for the food, battery, and materials industries.
Key research questions include:
- What are the major energy consumers in Quintus presses used for food processing and battery densification?
- Which technologies, system configurations, and design concepts are currently used, and are there more energy-efficient alternatives available?
- How can energy consumption be reduced and/or energy be recovered and reused within the process?
- What are the environmental benefits and business cases associated with the proposed improvements, considering implementation costs, energy savings, and payback time?
- Which opportunities offer the greatest potential for reducing both operating costs and the carbon footprint of the equipment?
The outcome of the study is expected to provide recommendations for design improvements and operational strategies that can reduce energy consumption, improve overall system efficiency, lower operating costs, and decrease the environmental footprint of Quintus high-pressure equipment.
Suitable background
This thesis project is suitable for students pursuing a Master’s degree in Energy Engineering, Sustainable Energy Systems, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Management, Environmental Engineering, or related fields.
We are looking for students with an interest in energy efficiency, industrial systems, sustainability, and data-driven analysis. Knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, process engineering, or energy systems is beneficial. An interest in evaluating both technical and economic aspects of engineering solutions is highly valued, as the project will involve assessing the feasibility, implementation cost, energy savings potential, and payback time of proposed improvements.
We believe you are curious, analytical, and motivated by solving real-world engineering challenges that can contribute to reduced energy consumption, lower operating costs, and a smaller environmental footprint.
Application Information
The thesis will take place at Quintus office in Västerås and is expected to start January 2027. The selection will be ongoing so therefore apply as soon as possible, but no later than October 31st.
Send your resume and short introduction of yourself together with grades to recruitment@quintusteam.com