PhD Study : Safety of hydrogen and natural gas blends

Summary

Safe handling of hydrogen and hydrogen natural gas blends requires an understanding of hazards and associated risks arising from leaks. These include (but are not limited to) hazard distances defined by the extent of the flammable cloud, and thermal effects from jet fire. The impact of leak conditions on dispersion must be understood for typical connections. Understanding of the underlying physical phenomena is key as countries move towards a network with hydrogen blends. Work is needed to adjust safety zones to account for hydrogen blends.

The aim of this doctoral study is development of safety engineering tools for hydrogen and hydrogen methane blends. One of key objectives is to expand Ulster theoretical models for unignited and ignited jets to account for methane and hydrogen-methane blends. The effect of buoyancy on the releases should also be accounted for.

The study will focus on a combination of theoretical modelling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Ulster University has an extensive track-record of using ANSYS Fluent as a CFD engine for development of CFD models and their use for hydrogen safety engineering. The candidate will have opportunity to run numerical simulations using the fleet of powerful workstations available at HySAFER Centre and Northern Ireland High-Performance Computing (NI-HPC) Kelvin-2 facility (https://www.ni-hpc.ac.uk/Kelvin2).

The proposed PhD project is expected to develop leading edge numerical models for analysis of hazards related to hydrogen methane blends, close knowledge gaps and develop engineering tools. The results of this doctoral research will be aligned to HySAFER’s externally funded projects and reported at international conferences. Publication of results in peer reviewed journals is expected.

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:

Department for the Economy (DFE)

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