UK/EU Studentship: Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Gas-Liquid Flow Fields in Packed-Bed Reactors

Due to funding regulations, this studentship is only available to UK and EU nationals. Students must meet the eligibility criteria at: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/studentregistry/fees/funding/councils/eligibility.html

3-year fully-funded PhD studentship with Professor Lynn Gladden and Dr. Andy Sederman to start 1 October 2019. The industrial partner is Shell Global Solutions International B.V.

The ability of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and other numerical methods to predict single-phase flows is generally considered to be accurate and reliable. However, the same cannot be said for two-phase flow or any multi-phase flow; such flows are ubiquitous in physics, chemistry and engineering, as well as in the life sciences. This project focusses on flow through fixed-bed catalytic reactors; these are cylindrical columns packed with typically spheres and cylinders. A physicist would use a similar physical structure and refer to it as a model porous medium.

The project will focus on the use and further development of magnetic resonance flow imaging techniques to spatially map and measure the velocity of the gas and liquid flows within the reactor. Once these measurement skills have been achieved, they will be used in the following research:

• How do the gas and liquid flow fields vary as the diameter of the column changes?
• How do gas and liquid flow fields vary as the physical and chemical properties of the fluids change?
• How well do existing commercially available flow simulation codes predict the flow field measured?
• How can the measured flow fields be used to improve the implementation of the flow simulators?

The emphasis of the project is on the experimental measurements, although interest in using numerical simulation codes is welcomed. Much of the simulation work will be done in collaboration with the industrial partner.

Applicants for the studentship should have:

1.) A First Class (or a high 2:1) in all previous degrees (Bachelor’s and if applicable, Master’s or other postgraduate degrees) in a relevant discipline such as chemical engineering, engineering, chemistry or physics.
2.) If your degree(s) was taken outside the UK, please visit https://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international-qualifications to determine if your marks will qualify before you apply.
3.) The successful candidate will be expected to formally apply for admission to the University of Cambridge. Please see the University’s admissions requirements at: https://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/entry-requirements


To apply for the studentship, please send the following to [Email Address Removed] by noon on Friday 8 March 2019:

1.) Include the Vacancy Reference number NQ18167 in the subject line of your email.
2.) A copy of your CV
3.) Copies of your transcripts from all previous degrees (Bachelor’s and if applicable, Master’s or other postgraduate degrees) that show the marks/grades obtained in each course.