Explosive boiling – the superheat limit and instability during liquid droplet evaporation (WS05)

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Full Project Detail
This PhD project aims to understand and model the superheat limit and instabilities during the evaporation of liquid droplet which underpins the phenomena of explosive boiling. Explosive boiling usually occurs when a low temperature liquid is immersed into a high temperature fluid. The high pressure generated during the fast evaporation process in practical applications can be undesirable from the safety point of view but could potentially be very useful for power generation. Therefore, being able to understand and model the superheat limit can be important for the safety and efficiency of energy systems where explosive boiling happens.

This is an opportunity for a world-class research training at Loughborough University, including opportunities to explore the state-of-art optical diagnostic facilities, and attend international conferences. The research will include:
1.Systematic review of the existing physical models for explosive boiling and relevant phase change and hydrodynamic instability theories;
2.Experimental quantifications of the superheat limit of single and multi-component liquids and the consequential explosive boiling process by setting a high-speed optical diagnostic system.
3.Theoretical analysis of the superheat limit and the instabilities during the explosive boiling process.

Entry requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical engineering, physics, or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in analytical and experimental investigation of the liquid-vapour phase change process or hydrodynamic instabilities will be an advantage.