PhD Studentship: The Internal Condensation Engine for Power Generation from Low Temperature Waste Heat

Project title: The Internal Condensation Engine for power generation from low temperature waste heat  

Supervisory Team: Gerald Muller

Project description

In the UK, there is a potential of low temperature waste heat and waste steam with temperatures of 80 to 150 C of 7 TWh per year, this corresponds to  40% of the total waste heat production. This energy resource is mostly unused, since there is no cost-effective heat engine for this temperature range. Existing technology, mostly the Organic Rankine Cycle systems, are complex and they use refrigerants as working fluids which can have greenhouse warming potential.

The Newcomen engine is the oldest steam engine. It is an atmospheric engine where the steam is condensed and the arising vacuum, or rather the atmospheric pressure acting from the outside, drives the engine. Its operating temperature is 100C, which makes it suitable for waste heat recovery. However, its efficiency is very low so that is considered of historic interest only. Recent theoretical work at Southampton University has however shown that a new geometry, combined with the use of plastic as material for cylinder and piston, can increase the efficiency significantly. This opens up the possibility to develop a very simple and cost-effective heat engine for low temperature waste heat.

In this 3.5 year fully-funded PhD project you will investigate and develop the Internal Condensation Engine as a simple and cost effective heat engine for low temperature waste heat. Theoretical numerical and experimental methods will be used to analyse and improve the cycle. New components such as rotary valves will be developed to allow for a further increase in efficiency. A bench scale technology demonstrator will be built and tested to assess the actual performance, and to compare it with the theoretical predictions.

We are looking for a driven applicant with a strong Bachelors and/or Masters degree in Physics or Engineering, and expertise and interest in thermodynamics and in renewable energy, and who is also motivated to widen their knowledge to understand the complex engine development which involves theory as well as components design and testing.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Gerald Muller, Water and Environmental Engineering Research Group, Email: g.muller@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 2465.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing date: applications should be received no later than 01 August 2023 for standard admissions, but later applications may be considered depending on the funds remaining in place.

Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £17,668 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years.

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk). Select programme type (Research), 2023/24, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Gerald Muller

Applications should include:

• Research Proposal
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two reference letters
• Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

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