Hydrogen Ventilation in a Geological Disposal Facility

The project:

One of the biggest engineering challenges in safeguarding the UK from the legacy of half a century of nuclear power generation may be found in the design of long-term storage for spent fuel. Plans are being developed for a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF), deep underground, where spent fuel can safely be allowed to decay.  During this process, small quantities of hydrogen gas may be released.  While not especially dangerous in small quantities, any long-term accumulation of a flammable gas could be dangerous. Thus, understanding how quickly gasses might accumulate and in what concentration is vital to ensure that adequate ventilation is designed into the facility to provide protection over hundreds of thousands of years.

To address these questions of design and risk, in this project a scientific study into slow leakage flows will be carried out in a desktop-scale laboratory model, using density differences between fresh and salt water as a scale representation of the buoyancy of hydrogen gas leaking into air.  In the Hele-Shaw laboratory we use non-invasive techniques to study the fundamental fluid mechanics underpinning such flows, usually marking a fluid with dye and video-recording the flows for quantitative analysis. 

This project will suit a student with a practical mindset for designing and building their own automated fluid mechanics experiment, who also has an interest in developing mathematical models to deepen their understanding of an extremely important engineering problem.

How to apply:

To apply for this studentship, submit a PhD application using our online application system [www.bristol.ac.uk/pg-howtoapply]

Please ensure that in the Funding section you tick “I would like to be considered for a funding award from the Mechanical Engineering Department” and specify the title of the scholarship in the “other” box below along with the name of the supervisor.  Interested candidates should apply as soon as possible.

Candidate requirements: 

Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of a master’s degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline: Aerospace Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical/Process Engineering, Applied Mathematics.

Basic skills and knowledge required

Experience in programming in a compiled language relevant to the design of numerically intensive simulation is essential.

If English is not your first language, you need to meet this profile level:
Profile E
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

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