PhD Studentship - Hydrogen energy systems: thermal modelling and innovation

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Supervisory Team:    Dr Edward Richardson

Project description

Applications are invited for a fully-funded 3.5 year PhD studentship working on thermal and fluid dynamic modelling and optimisation for hydrogen energy systems. The project involves research collaboration with Luxfer, an innovative manufacturer of hydrogen storage equipment, and includes a three month industrial research placement. This project provides an enhanced tax-free stipend in addition to the standard EPSRC stipend.

You will join a world-leading research team based within the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Southampton, a member of the Russell Group and ranked in the world’s top 100 Universities. The Department supports a large research team committed to research in different aspects of fluid mechanics, with nationally-leading experimental and computational activities addressing both fundamental and more applied problems in engineering science.

In this research you will focus on developing computational models for the thermal and fluid dynamic performance of hydrogen energy systems, and use your models to identify and optimise innovative technical solutions, including for high-pressure hydrogen storage systems. 

Compressed hydrogen is a leading candidate for energy storage and transport in low-carbon energy and transportation networks, including aerospace, marine, and some automotive applications. High storage pressures, upwards of 300 bar, are required to achieve satisfactory energy density, and there is a substantial energy cost and heating effect associated with filling and emptying such high-pressure storage vessels. An understanding of, and ability to predict, the thermo-fluid performance of compressed hydrogen storage systems is important for guiding the design of storage vessels themselves and to support integration of hydrogen supply, storage and conversion systems.

Reduced order modelling and computational fluid dynamic methods will be developed and applied. The reduced order methods will combine analytical models from a range of engineering disciplines in order to evaluate system-level performance. The computational fluid dynamics work will use commercial software as part of a multi-fidelity design methodology. Experimental measurements will be performed in our laboratory and also on full-scale systems with Luxfer to validate the computational analysis approaches.

The funding available is competitive and will only be awarded to an outstanding applicant. As part of the selection process, the strength of the whole application is taken into account, including academic qualifications, personal statement, CV and references. Applications should have a good first degree in a relevant engineering subject, physics or mathematics. Ideally the candidate should have experience in fluid dynamics and demonstrated aptitude for developing computational models. 

The School of Engineering is committed to making Engineering more inclusive and is highly supportive of applications from under-represented groups.

The project will start in October 2022.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing date : 31 August 2022 

Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £19,995 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years. 

How To Apply

Applications should be made online. Select programme type (Research), 2022/23, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD  Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor “ Edward Richardson” 

Applications should include: 

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts to date

Apply online: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/how-to-apply/postgraduate-applications.page

For further information please contact: [email protected]