PhD Study : Hydrogen safety for marine vessels and port infrastructure

Summary

Decarbonisation of transport including the maritime sector is an integral part of the UK Government “The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution” and “UK Hydrogen Strategy” both set plans for an accelerated transition to sustainable transport. The PhD project will review the existing knowledge on safety design and operations of hydrogen systems and infrastructure in the maritime sector. The IGF Code (International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases) provides the regulatory framework for the adaptation of low-flashpoint marine fuels like hydrogen. The finalization of the Fuel Cells Interim Guidelines is foreseen in 2021. No work to cover storage of hydrogen as a fuel has been initiated in IMO.

According to the IGF Code Part A, a low-flashpoint fuel like hydrogen is allowed as long as the Alternative Design approach demonstrates that the hydrogen-specific systems are as safe, reliable, and dependable as new and comparable conventional oil-fuelled ships. IGF Code Part A details requirements for risk assessments and analysis of explosion consequences to ensure that the necessary assessments are carried out to eliminate or mitigate adverse effects on people on board, the environment, or the ship.

This doctoral study will close essential knowledge gaps and contribute to the IGF Code and relevant documents (IMO CCC7/3. (2020); IMO MSC.1/Circ.1455; IMO MSC.1/Circ.1212/ Rev.1) by addressing the following issues: hydrogen containment, hydrogen bunkering systems, fuel cell and power generation safety, ventilation, control and monitoring, etc.

The study will formulate requirements to the ventilation system to control “standard” and unscheduled releases below the regulated level for initiation of alarm and protection system. The double-wall requirement for fuel lines will be analysed and new requirements will be formulated accounting for hydrogen properties. The engineering solutions to mitigate the pressure peaking phenomenon (specific only for hydrogen) will be developed. Interaction of hydrogen jet fires with vessel structure will be studied and mitigation measures suggested. Mitigation of non-uniform hydrogen deflagrations by limiting the released inventory and venting technique in vessel enclosures will be proposed, etc. Bunkering is another area where knowledge gaps to be closed, including the fuelling protocols.

The candidate will develop a structured approach to hazard identification, the definition of incident scenarios and performing hydrogen safety engineering to quantify incident consequences and estimate associated risks. Innovative safety strategies and engineering solutions will be developed to keep the risk of hydrogen-driven marine vessels at the level of current vessels or below.

The successful candidate is expected to have a strong background in one of the following disciplines: engineering, physics, mathematics, fluid dynamics, heat and mass transfer, combustion. Any previous experience in theoretical analysis and/or numerical studies is welcome. The research will be conducted at the HySAFER Centre. The candidate will focus on CFD modelling and numerical simulations, ‎use relevant software (ANSYS Fluent, FieldView, etc.) and the state-of-the-art computational resources – multi-processor workstations ‎available at HySAFER Centre and Kelvin-2 High-Performance Computing facilities. This research will be aligned to relevant HySAFER’s projects, results reported at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Essential criteria

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.

• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

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

This scholarship will cover full-time PhD tuition fees and provide the recipient with £15,840 (tbc) maintenance grant per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance). This scholarship is available to UK, EU and overseas applicants.