PhD Study : Explore the Performance of Advanced Heat Exchanger for Hybrid Heat Pump

Summary

Utilising the heat pump to improve energy usage in buildings with efficient and cost-effective strategies plays an important role in meeting the government task of reducing CO2 emissions and improving the quality of the indoor environment.  However, performance degradation has been seen with additional thermal energy storage, necessary for demand side response for integration with renewable electricity. Heat exchangers in a heat pump are essential for heat extraction and supply. A highly efficient heat exchanger helps minimize the temperature difference between the thermally connected fluid flows, thereby enhancing the energy transfer and overall efficiency of a heat pump system.

The aim of this research is to improve the performance of an advanced heat exchanger integrated with energy storage for domestic heat pump used with renewable sources. Due to the variable heat supply and demand for a heat pump, it is important to find the performance of a heat exchanger for any capacity and operating conditions such as high pressure, high temperature, corrosion and fluid used with the heat pump operation.

Moreover, an exchanger has a considerable flexibility in the design within its core geometry to reflect the varied conditions. In an exchanger, flow and heat transfer processes on the thermal connection sides are highly complicated since they are influenced by geometrical characteristics such as contact area size, shape, pitch ratio, tube/channel arrangement and fluid movement.

The present study will experimentally and numerically explore the capacity of the heat exchanger that is within and energy storage unit and evaluate the effectiveness of the heat exchanger connected to the hybrid heat pump along with other renewable resources. The developed heat exchanger will be highly efficient to collect energy from the Heat Pump and store and to retain it within a building integrated component like underfloor heating system during off peak times. This has potential to improve energy usage and indoor environment quality.

The Centre for Sustainable Technologies has dedicated laboratories for the evaluation of water to water heat pumps, air to water heat pumps and “Terrace Street” – family occupied test houses for the evaluation of domestic scale energy technologies. Thus, the successful candidate will theoretically and experimentally evaluate the performance of hybrid heat pump with for example a solar collector in both electricity and thermal energy for building applications.

You will have an appropriate engineering or physical sciences degree, having been taught thermodynamics and have a keen interest in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Skills include data acquisition, experimental development and numerical simulation experience in this field.

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

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.

• Masters at 65%

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