Doctoral student in Energy Siencies - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project

Sustainable use of energy in the future relies on a shift away from fossil fuels. In some sectors this can be done using non-combustion technologies like batteries, wind turbines or fuel-cells. Still, in other sectors combustion will be difficult to replace. These are sectors that mostly rely on continuous combustion engines such as gas turbines and jet engines, and currently they contribute around 10% of the global anthropogenic CO2 release as well as NOX and a small amount of unburned hydrocarbons. Since the engines are dificult to replace we look for technologies that can enable the use of alternative fuels and lean equivalence ratios without introducing instabilities, as well as reduce the NOX emissions. Plasma assisted combustion is currently being investigated for this purpose. In plasma assisted combustion a small amount of electrical energy is used to enhance the reactivity through excitation and thereby increase the chemical reaction rates and extend flamabillity limits. The energy may be supplied via a variety of techniques including barrier discharges, gliding arcs and microwaves. In a project recently granted by the Swedish Research Council we will develop high fidelity models for plasma assited combustion to enable simulations, and assess the usefullness of this technology for promoting green thermochemical energy conversion using combustion.

Subject description

The research will be performed at the division of Heat Transfer at the Department of Energy Sciences. The research group have extensive experience in both Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), modelling of combustion as well as experiments and simulations of plasma assisted combustion.

The objective of this project is to develop improved models for high fidelity numerical simulation of plasma assisted combustion, including enhanced chemical reaction and plasma mechanisms as well as thermal heating. Comprison will be made with existing experimental data from previous projects and with experimental data from the open literature. The work will be performed in an envoronment that includes other PhD students working with numerical simulation of combustion and experimental combustion studies.

Work duties

The PhD candidate will take part in research and development improved high fidelity models for plasma assisted combustion for a range of fuels, starting with methane and hydrogen. The work will include simulations of different combustor configurations using different discharge models that will be developed as part of the project. The numerical simulation work will primarily be performed using openFOAM in a team of senior researchers and PhD students with expertise in combustion experiments, combustion simulations and turbine system operation and design. The work will contain elements of both fundamental research and practical engineering applications.

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Energy Sciences if the applicant has:  

• at least 90 credits in the subject of the third-cycle programme, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses of relevance to the subject and 30 credits from a second-cycle degree project of relevance to the subject.
• a Master’s degree of relevance to the field.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Documented knowledge or experience of fluid mechanics and CFD modeling,

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to benefit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills.
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria

• Collaborative skills and the ability to communicate with researchers in other research fields.
• A basic understanding of one or more of the following topics: combustion chemistry, compressible flows, partial differential equations, electromagnetism, molecular quantum mechanics or turbulence.
• Experience of programming.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).