Start date: October 2022
Expected interview date: May 2022
Academic supervisors: Professor C Pleydell-Pearce and Dr Z Abdallah
Industrial supervisor: Matthew C Davies
Sponsoring company: Tata Steel UK
Refractory materials are designed to be resistant to decomposition by heat, pressure and, chemicals and, to retain their mechanical properties at temperatures encountered in the modern manufacturing environment. The purpose of a refractory material is to contain heat whilst simultaneously protecting processing equipment. Typically, these materials are used as linings for boilers, furnaces, incinerators etc and have multiple applications in the steel making process.
Liquid Iron and Steel are both transported and processed in Refractory coated vessels, examples being torpedoes, ladles BOS (Basic Oxygen Steelmaking) vessels, tundishes etc. At each point of transfer, temperature loss occurs. The temperature deficit is addressed either through chemical heating process or adjustments made to scrap and alloy inputs to manage the final temperature.
This project aims to study Refractory coating systems and to understand their impact on energy loss and, through literature reviews / benchmarking, to identify opportunities for reducing this loss. Thermal modelling will be utilised to develop solutions alongside refractory testing (thermomechanical) and value in use assessments. Contact and non-contact thermal measurement systems will be evaluated as a tool to support trials and evaluations of proposals resulting from this research.
COATED M2A recognises applicants have a variety of backgrounds with different educational and research experiences. We do not expect applicants to be proficient users of any techniques /equipment mentioned, at the time of application. Our focus is to upskill our participants and training will be provided.
COATED M2A in the Faculty of Science and Engineering is a Swansea University initiative which provides postgraduate research training in partnership with industry, providing access to world class laboratories and a wealth of academic and industry expertise. COATED M2A is committed to providing top quality research opportunities within an inclusive environment, funded by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Swansea University and Industry partners.
Interwoven through the research study are business, technical and entrepreneurial courses, designed to support and prepare participants for a senior role in industry or academia, on completion of their studies.
The Athena SWAN charter recognises work undertaken by institutions to advance gender equality. The College of Engineering is an Athena SWAN bronze award holder and is committed to addressing unequal gender representation. Applications from women and other under-represented groups are particularly welcomed. All applications will be anonymised prior to shortlisting.
Eligibility
Candidates must normally hold a minimum undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University), or a combination of degree and equivalent experience to the same level.
We would normally expect candidates to have met the University’s English Language requirements (e.g. IELTS 6.5 overall with 5.5+ in each component) by point of application.
Candidates must have the legal right to live/work in the UK at the start of their studies (student visas do not apply).
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