PhD Studentship: Efficient Cryostasis for Transport of Liquid Hydrogen

Supervisory Team: Edward Richardson; Stephen Turnock

Project description

Liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage and transport enables flexible exploitation of potentially carbon-free energy. Through multi-phase flow simulation and modelling, you will tackle outstanding fluid-dynamic challenges in application of liquid hydrogen on ships and aircraft.

You will receive training from and work alongside world-leading academics at the University of Southampton who are leaders in aerospace and maritime engineering science. You will have access to the University’s extensive fluid dynamics laboratories in order to apply advanced experimental approaches, as well as use of the University’s powerful supercomputer Iridis 6 for flow simulation. This project is of significant interest to international businesses, and your work will benefit from privileged access to their data and through collaboration with industrial leaders. The University of Southampton is a member of the UK’s Russell Group of world-class research-intensive universities and ranked in the world’s top 100 Universities.

Storage and transport of liquid hydrogen poses particular challenges because hydrogen boils at minus 253 Celsius. Carriage of liquid hydrogen in zero-emission aircraft and in hydrogen carrier ships requires minimisation and management of hydrogen boil-off. This project will examine the effects of vessel motion on boiling in the tank, as well as novel technologies that promise to reduce evaporation. Your investigation will involve flow simulation and rigorous development of thermodynamic models. These feed into techno-economic analysis of a range of technologies and strategies for managing boil-off as part of a multi-disciplinary activity funded by the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, in collaboration with the University’s Business School. Your research will inform high-value technology and investment decisions for a low-carbon future.

The funding available is competitive and will only be awarded to an outstanding applicant. As part of the selection process, the strength of the whole application is taken into account, including academic qualifications, personal statement, CV and references. Applicants should have a good first degree in a relevant engineering subject, physics or mathematics. Ideally the candidate should have experience in fluid dynamics and demonstrated aptitude for developing computational models.

The School of Engineering is committed to making Engineering more inclusive and is highly supportive of applications from under-represented groups.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Prof. Edward Richardson, Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics, Email: e.s.richardson@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 4897.

Entry Requirements

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

Closing date: 31 August 2024. Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

Funding: Funding for tuition fees and a living stipend are available on a competitive basis. Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

How To Apply

Apply online via the ‘Apply’ button above. Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Edward Richardson

Applications should include:

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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