Modelling of complex multiphase solid-liquid flows within the nuclear industry

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: Modelling of complex multiphase solid-liquid flows within the nuclear industry

Resuspension, transport, mixing and settling of solid particulates all play a significant role in the safety and performance of systems throughout the nuclear industry. On the Sellafield Ltd site numerous plant processes involve the treatment and handling of particle-laden mixtures (slurries). Without a proper understanding of the behaviour of these mixtures as they are exposed to these various environments and processes, solid deposition is likely. The impact of which can often be detrimental, with effects ranging from reduced operational performance or capacity, full blockage and shut-down of plant systems, or secondary effects such as enhanced corrosion or erosion which can be life-limiting for various plant systems.

Whilst much progress has been made over the past 50 years in the use of multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling to capture solid-liquid flows, there are still significant gaps which limit their use on an industrial scale. Continuum-based approximations are often based on simplified assumptions which often are not sufficient to capture the complex nature of sludges and slurries typically found in the nuclear industry. This project will develop and apply multiscale methods which will progress the state-of-the-art in industrial-scale solid-liquid modelling and benchmark these methods against systems typically found within the nuclear industry. This PhD project is a joint investigation between the Schools of Civil and Chemical/Process Engineering at Leeds University (UoL) and National Nuclear Laboratory/Sellafield Limited (NNL/SL).

The project will have a strong focus on the development and application of multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamics models, using both commercial and opensource tools.

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]