Erosional jets, the ultimate challenge in coupled flow-particle dynamics: Application to industrial post operational clean out

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Fluid Dynamics is now recruiting to this fantastic PhD opportunity in partnership with Sellafield Ltd.

As a student on the CDT you will participate in a four year programme that combines an integrated MSc (completed over the first two years) paired with a three year PhD-level research programme. This gives you a combination of bespoke taught modules and inter-disciplinary research training.

You will be part of a supportive cohort of research students with different academic backgrounds, all focusing on different aspects of Fluid Dynamics. During the taught aspects of your course you will receive a range of tailored seminars, lectures and practical laboratories to cover the computational, experimental and analytical aspects of Fluid Dynamics. This provides you with a strong background to the fundamentals of Fluid Dynamics. In addition you will have access to a wide range of personal development activities. Further information on the CDT is available here: fluid-dynamics.leeds.ac.uk

The PhD project: Erosional jets, the ultimate challenge in coupled flow-particle dynamics: Application to industrial post operational clean out

Impinging jets are used in a wide range of process engineering applications such as tunnelling operations, paint spraying and cavitation drilling, and as a method to estimate sediment strength in natural environment studies. Related is the use of jets as mixers to mobilise and homogenise sediment beds. This is particularly important within the nuclear waste industry for mixing of radioactive wastes, as they are preferred over mechanical impellers due to the lack of moving parts. Despite the relevance of multiphase jet mixing systems, quantitative studies of their flow-profiles, turbulence and recirculation in sediment beds are lacking, while current predictions of erosion thresholds are also empirical. Difficulties arise in characterisation, due to the complex impingement profiles and because traditional laser or image techniques cannot be used at high solids loads. As an alternative, this PhD will use a range of advanced measurement techniques to characterise these complex flows and their erosion profiles. Measurements will be coupled with multiphase CFD simulations of the jets to enable the prediction of impinging jet mixers used to mobilise nuclear wastes as part of post operational clean out operations at Sellafield Ltd. Additionally, simple boundary layer flows will also be examined experimentally and numerically to elucidate the underlying mechanisms responsible for particle resuspension from solid beds.  

How to apply: Complete online application form (see https://fluid-dynamics.leeds.ac.uk/programme/) naming the PhD project on the form

Application deadline: 7th April 2021

Funding: Full standard studentship. Further details and eligibility.

Entry requirements: A degree equivalent to a UK first class honours, or a high upper second class, in an engineering, mathematics or science discipline.

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