PhD Study : Safety of Liquified Hydrogen in Energy Applications

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Summary

Liquified hydrogen (LH2) is the most efficient way to transport hydrogen over large distances at emerging state of hydrogen infrastructure when pipelines are not yet available as an alternative way to deliver hydrogen to refuelling stations and homes. This is the inherently safer way to store and distribute large amount of hydrogen at refuelling stations. The development of innovative safety strategies and engineering solutions for LH2 systems and infrastructure requires fundamental understanding of underlying physical phenomena and validated engineering models and tools for safety design.

The models and safety measures to prevent and mitigate accidents involving LH2 systems and infrastructure have to be developed. The following phenomena have to be studied yet to underpin the development of the technology: multiphase release and dispersion of LH2 in the open atmosphere and confined spaces; release and dispersion of cryogenic hydrogen; thermal hazards from low temperatures; ignition parameters and flammability limits of cryogenic hydrogen; explosion of LH2 tank in BLEVE (Boiling Liquide Expanding Vapour Explosion) regime; pressure and thermal loads from LH2 and cryogenic hydrogen combustion in confined and congested areas; etc. The suitability of available tools for gaseous hydrogen to releases of LH2 and cryogenic hydrogen should be critically analysed. Novel analytical and numerical tools for calculation of hazard distance for LH2 and cryogenic hydrogen should be developed based on an improved understanding of the underlying physics. The developed models must be validated against experimental data that will be obtained in collaboration with our European partners during delivery of H2020 project PRESLHY “”.

The successful candidate will work at HySAFER Centre, which is a key provider of hydrogen safety research and education globally. This doctoral project will contribute to PRESLHY project “Pre-normative research for safe use of liquid hydrogen”, which will start in 2018. The thrust in research will be on the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and theoretical studies in conjunction with analysis of available and new experimental data, which will be obtained within PRESLHY. HySAFER team uses mainly Ansys Fluent as computational engine with User Defined Functions to implement own sub-models. Candidate’s experience in the use of CFD software (FLUENT, OpenFOAM, etc.) is welcome. The candidate could select for his/her proposal writing any or a mixture of above mentioned knowledge gaps in LH2 safety. The results of research should be presented to PRESLHY partners and at conferences.

Education in combustion and experience in CFD are welcome. The state-of-the-art software and hardware are available. HySAFER pursues a wide international collaboration strategy through national (EPSRC) and overseas (H2020) research projects.

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.

  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal

Desirable Criteria

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

  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

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.

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

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 19 February 2018
12:00AM

Interview Date
12 March 2018

Preferred student start date
mid September 2018

Applying

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Contact supervisor

Dr Dmitriy Makarov

Other supervisors