PhD Study : Explosion-free in a fire composite storage cylinder for compressed gas

Summary

Compressed gases energy storage technologies are widely used in different areas of our life. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Gaseous Hydrogen (CGH2) vehicles and buses are hitting the roads, hydrogen trains and ships are at demonstration phase.

The number of CNG vehicles has been growing exponentially in the last two decades. Safety is of paramount importance for compressed gas storage systems and infrastructure. “Fire is the single leading cause of in-service failures involving CNG fuel systems on-board vehicles” (CSA Group). The main unresolved issue facing the compressed gas energy storage sector is a catastrophic rupture of lightweight composite pressure vessel (CPV) in a fire followed by devastating blast wave, fireball and projectiles. Fire resistance rating (FRR) of today’s CPV, i.e. time in a fire before rupture, is only 4-8 min (gasoline fire during at accident). This is comparable with time of self-evacuation from a car at an accident scene and arrival of firemen. There were 23,100 road vehicle fires in Great Britain in 2013-14.

Catastrophic rupture of CPV in a fire is a serious threat to life and property. Such accidents are not acceptable. They must be excluded through the innovative engineering of CPV. The project seeks to resolve this key safety issue through the development and validation of the breakthrough leak-no-burst (LNB) safety technology for prevention of CPV catastrophic rupture in a fire. Inherently safer compressed gas storage systems will support the deployment of greener, secure and affordable energy supplies in low carbon sector, helping UK to meet ambitious carbon emissions targets. The compressed gas transport must provide at least the same level of hazards and risk as for fossil vehicles, which is not yet the case. This research is strongly linked from the beginning with industry, both directly and through collaboration with international standard development organisations (SDOs) and regulators (UN GTR#13 IWG SGS).

The project results will assist to update current Regulations, Codes and Standards (RCS). The research is focused on investigation of the LNB safety technology in variety of options following Ulster University’s Intellectual Property (European Application No 18706224.5, "Composite Vessel for Hydrogen Storage“, 12 February 2018). This breakthrough technology will provide hydrogen industry by explosion free in a fire tank. It does not require the use of thermally activated pressure relief devices (TPRD).

The project aim will be achieved through realisation of the following objectives:

- Perform hazard and risk analysis of compressed gas storage technologies;

- Critically analyse case studies and best safety practices, develop spectrum of typical accident scenarios;

- Measure or calculate properties of CPV and thermal protection materials to be used in the modelling;

- Develop and validate a model of CPV performance in fire, including localised fires;

- Carry out a numerical study on the effect of material properties on performance of explosion-free in a fire tanks;

- Undertake outdoor and indoor fire tests to validate this innovative safety technology (in collaboration with other projects in HySAFER);

- Formulate recommendations for the update of RCS

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:

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