Ignitability, Quenching and Deflagration-to-Detonation-Transition of hydrogen-air mixtures

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: Ignitability, Quenching and Deflagration-to-Detonation-Transition of hydrogen-air mixtures  

Due to radiation and wide use of reactive metals, the nuclear industry has always to be mindful of the generation of flammable gases, principally hydrogen. Hydrogen explosions can lead to deflagration and transition to detonation (DDT) with destructive effects. As Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) estate goes into decommissioning and long term storage new challenges in managing hydrogen are being met where better informed safety cases can be used to remove conservatisms, reduce cost, timescales at Sellafield, Dounreay and Magnox sites. To evaluate ignitability of less well-known, unfamiliar hydrogen-air mixtures, and to obtain a greater understanding of DDT mechanism of hydrogen-air mixtures, this PhD will use a range of advanced measurement techniques (Leeds Fan-Stirred Combustion Vessel and Leeds Rapid Compression Machine) to characterise these complex processes. Measurements will be coupled with CFD simulations (in-house code MG) of DDT onset to enable the accurate prediction of damage to nuclear process plant, storage containers and structures resulting from hydrogen explosion. 

How to apply: Complete online application form naming the PhD project on the form.

Application deadline: 31st March 2022.

Funding: Full standard studentship. 

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

Further information and queries: Please see https://fluid-dynamics.leeds.ac.uk/programme/ and contact us on [Email Address Removed]