PhD Study : Hydrogen safety in rail applications

Summary

The rail sector presents a particular safety challenge for hydrogen and fuel cell systems due to comparatively larger inventory, confinement of storage, high speed and vibrations, currently accepted large hydrogen flow rate from thermally activated release devices (TPRDs), passengers located in vicinity to high-pressure hydrogen storage and exposed to potential pressure and thermal effects, narrower rail tunnels cross-section profile preventing quick hydrogen dispersion below low flammability limit (and thus creating conditions for flammable envelope deflagration), etc.

This PhD project will start with a review of relevant hazards, available safety strategies and engineering solutions for high-pressure hydrogen storage in rail applications. Relevant to rail accidents and the design of hydrogen-powered trains information will be critically analysed. Innovative safety strategies and engineering solutions will be proposed and corresponding incident scenarios will be simulated to demonstrate reduction of hazards and associated risks. This includes engineering solutions for TPRD and hydrogen venting lines design, etc. Fire onboard a hydrogen-fuelled train while in a tunnel presents the worst credible accident scenario. Consequences of incidents in tunnels of various shape, span and height will be investigated in terms of pressure (overpressure, impulse) and thermal (temperature, heat flux, thermal dose) effects on life and train.

Particular attention will be paid to hydrogen jet flame impact on rail cars and passengers safety, and structural integrity of hydrogen storage compartments under fire conditions. The performance of available engineering solutions, e.g. explosion free in a fire self-venting TPRD-less storage tanks, in arrangements characteristic for hydrogen trains will be studied to formulate requirements for their safe operation in normal and fire conditions.

The successful candidate will undertake this doctoral study at HySAFER Centre, one of the key providers of hydrogen safety research and education globally. S(he) will focus on theoretical and numerical modelling with the use of relevant ANSYS software and the Northern Ireland High-Performance Computing (NI-HPC) Kelvin-2 cluster. The results of this doctoral research will be used to support HySAFER’s externally funded projects, 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.