​Ammonia bunkering and safety of incidental release and dispersion in maritime applications

Ammonia is considered as a promising hydrogen storage media for carbon-free economy due to high volumetric hydrogen density, low storage pressure combined with relatively high temperatures, long-term stability in liquid phase.

​The aim of this PhD study is the development of predictive models for two-phase liquid ammonia transfer, accidental releases and distribution required for safety assessment and safety design of large-scale and heavy-duty applications, e.g., bunkering ammonia for transportation and for propulsion of vessels.

​The project aim will be achieved through addressing the following objectives:

• ​Critical analysis of ammonia storage, bunkering and incidents;
• ​Development and validation of CFD models;
• ​Simulations to develop inherently safer bunkering protocols;
• ​Numerical experiments to access hazards of ammonia;
• ​Prevention and mitigation strategies to underpin regulations.

​Research novelty is in accounting the entire transfer line from onshore reservoir to onboard storage tank. Hazards of ammonia leakage incidents will be investigated using the developed CFD model to propose incident prevention and mitigation strategies. The proposed PhD research will run alongside the externally funded projects and the successful PhD candidate will work in a close cooperation with HySAFER team members, e.g., in the UK national Clean Maritime Research Hub (UK-MaRes Hub).

​HySAFER Centre has an extensive track-record of using ANSYS Fluent as a CFD engine for development of CFD models and their use for safety engineering. The candidate will have opportunity to formulate physical and mathematical models, run numerical simulations using the fleet of workstations available at HySAFER Centre and Northern Ireland High-Performance Computing (NI-HPC) Kelvin-2 facility (https://www.ni-hpc.ac.uk/Kelvin2 ).

​The applicants are expected to have backgrouind in engineering disciplines like physics, chemistry, combustion, fluid dynamics, heat transfer. Modelling and CFD experience is welcome. The successful student is expected to communicate findings via peer-reviewed publications in journals and conferences.

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Masters at 65%
• Publications - peer-reviewed

The University offers the following levels of support:

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living