PhD Studentship: Hydrant Dynamics for Acoustic Leak Detection in Water Pipes

Supervisory Team:    J M Muggleton & M Kalkowski 

Project description

Would you like to make a difference in protecting one of earth's most essential resources - water? Would you like to help the UK eliminate leakage-related water loss? A 3.5-year fully-funded PhD post is available to investigate and exploit the dynamics of hydrants to enhance acoustic-based water leak detection. 

Leakage from pipes is a significant issue in the water industry, both in environmental and economic and health terms. The UK is determined to tackle this problem and recently set up the Zero Leakage 2050 initiative. Acoustic methods take a significant share of the market for leak detection but are subject to limited access points. The waves emitted by leaks are recorded by sensors usually mounted on hydrants. However, their complex dynamic behaviour poses a challenge in interpreting the data. 

This PhD position focuses on uncovering and quantifying the contribution of hydrant dynamics in leak detection setups. It will impact both the industry sensing practice and the guidelines for hydrant design, to optimise for enhanced leak detection capability. Both theoretical and experimental aspects (field measurements) will help you develop a unique skillset in dynamics, signal processing, and experimentation while making a meaningful impact in a timely and industry-relevant subject area. 

You will work in the Dynamics Group of the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) at Southampton. ISVR has been at the forefront of leak detection research for decades and shows a steady grant and industrial contracts income in this area. You will be a part of the Sustainable Infrastructure and Cities Centre for Doctoral Training which includes multi-disciplinary researchers from across the entire faculty. The experimental work will be conducted at ISVR labs, the Future Towns Innovation Hub at Chilworth Science Park, and live industrial test sites. 

The project is funded by UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR), the water industry research procurement body in the UK. 

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (ideally a 1^st class honours degree, but at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent) in an engineering discipline, mathematics or physics. 

Closing Date: applications should be received no later than 31 August 2023, 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.

Non-UK students may apply; full funding may be available or a small top-up from the student may be required, depending on the calibre of the applicant 

How To Apply

Applications should be made online. Select programme type (Research), 2022/23, 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 Dr Jen Muggleton 

Applications should include:

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts to date 

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

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