PhD Studentship: Coarse-grid CFD for nuclear thermal hydraulics modelling

A fully funded 4-year EPSRC ICASE PhD Studentship, co-sponsored by Westinghouse, is available in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield to develop novel coarse-grid CFD tools for thermal hydraulics analysis in support of nuclear reactor designs. The project is in collaboration with Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB and has additional support from Daresbury Laboratories at Science and Technology Facilities Council.  

Traditionally, nuclear reactor design and safety assessments are heavily dependent on the so-called sub-channel (inter-connected one-dimensional) codes and system (lumped-parameter) approaches, which are carefully developed and validated against a large amount of experimental data. Such codes and tools rely on sub-models that are often reactor or fuel-specific due to their empirical nature and hence have significant limitations in designing advanced nuclear reactors. Recently, modelling and simulations with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) have been widely used in research to support reactor R&D, but their applications in reactor designs are still limited due to the need for enormous computing resources which are still unavailable. This PhD project is aimed at developing a low-cost coarse-grid CFD for nuclear reactor analysis, bearing many key features of the traditional sub-channel analysis approaches but with significantly increased capability and flexibility. The project is, in particular, looking into developing modelling tools for two-phase flows and boiling, characteristic of Light Water Reactors under nominal and postulated accident conditions. OpenFOAM will be considered as the CFD platform. The model developed will be validated using a range of approaches including benchmarking against legacy sub-channel codes.

Requirements:

The successful candidates are expected to hold a first class or upper second-class degree in engineering, physics or applied mathematics. Interests in CFD, computer programming and nuclear engineering are desirable but pre-knowledge and experience are not essential.

Overseas applicants will require an acceptable English qualification such as IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 and minimum of 6 in each component or equivalent English language requirements for postgraduates | Postgraduate study | The University of Sheffield

The student is expected to present their research outcomes to the project team/sponsors on a regular basis in both written and oral formats.

Funding

The studentship is open to UK, EU and international candidates.

The studentship is available to start in October 2023.

The annual tax-free stipend is at UKRI rate (currently £21,668 p.a.) plus £4,000 per year top-up for 4 years. Generous funding is also available for training, and conference and workshop attendance.

How to apply

For further information and informal discussion please contact Professor Shuisheng He at s.he@sheffield.ac.uk. To apply, please use our on-line PhD application form, including your CV and two references and indicating on your form that you are replying to this advert.

The studentship is available to start in October 2023.

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