Innovations in Waste Energy Minimisation from Maritime Engineering Power and Propulsion Systems

Supervisory Team:   Prof Alan J Murphy & Prof Dominic Hudson

Project description

Although maritime transport is one of the most energy efficient, the cumulative carbon footprint from global shipping is equivalent a large industrialised nation (~3% of global total). Meeting the ambition of fully decarbonising shipping by 2050, as agreed at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), requires imaginative solutions, delivered at pace.

This challenge is at the forefront of cutting-edge innovation because ships’ power and propulsion systems are highly complex energy networks integrating thermal, mechanical, fluid and electrical energy components for propulsion, preservation of life in comfort & cargo and a myriad of mission-critical systems. They also comprise some of the largest power plants in the world, highly constrained by space and weight, working seamlessly for extended periods of time in complete isolation, in the harshest environments on earth.

With each energy conversion in these complex energy networks comes energy loss or inefficiency – for example, huge amounts of heat is lost to the air and sea through cooling water and exhaust gas systems. Wild heat is radiated from the power and propulsion components requiring heating, ventilation and cooling systems to be installed and power to run them. And, with the transition to scarce renewable fuels, non-traditional energy converters and storage devices, such as fuel cells, super capacitors and batteries, the complexity of heat management will only increase.

This PhD, in association with BAE Systems, seeks to reveal and investigate novel solutions to deliver significant improvements in overall energy efficiency though the minimisation, capture, reuse and integration of otherwise wasted heat and energy across these complex ship power & propulsion systems. Avenues of investigation could include looking at novel system configurations to repurpose waste energy to other useful functions, power take-offs and take-ins, introduction of novel waste energy recovery concepts such as organic Rankine cycles and cryogenic systems.

As a successful candidate you will be proactive and dynamic with competencies in topics relevant to investigating integrated energy networks, including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and electro-mechanical systems. It would be beneficial if you also have knowledge of ship energy systems and the environments in which they operate, but we do welcome applicants with an ambition to learn this.

You will be joining a world-leading and dynamic team of PhD students, researchers and expert academics within the Maritime Engineering Research Group with an affiliation to the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute. These groups research many aspects of Clean, Safe and Smart maritime systems, encompassing power and propulsion, hydrodynamics, structures, artificial intelligence and more.

Entry Requirements

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

Closing date: 31 August 2024

Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £18,622 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years.

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk). Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Alan J Murphy

Applications should include:

Research Proposal

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: [Email Address Removed]