About the Project
Applications are invited for a three year Postgraduate studentship, supported by the School of Engineering and Applied Science, to be undertaken within the European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) (http://www.aston.ac.uk/eas/research/groups/ebri/), at Aston University. The successful applicant will join an established Bioenergy Research Group working on multiscale modelling of bioenergy.
The position is available to start in October 2017 (subject to negotiation).
Financial SupportThis studentship includes a fee bursary to cover the home/EU fees rate plus a maintenance allowance of £14,553 in 2017/18.
Overseas ApplicantsApplicants from outside the EU may apply for this studentship but will need to pay the difference between the ‘Home/EU’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees, currently this is £12,005 in 2017/18.
Background of the ProjectBiomass thermal conversion is the use of heat, with or without the presence of oxygen, to convert biomass materials or feedstocks into other forms of energy.
The project will focus on the development and validation of a new numerical model (Computational Fluid Dynamics-Population Balance Model, abbreviated as CFD-PBM) to overcome the technical limitations of the traditional CFD Eulerian model by incorporating the impact of particle size distribution on mass/heat transfer during biomass thermal conversion. The mass/heat transfer mechanisms of biomass at different particle sizes will be interpreted by the PBM model only and the CFD-PBM coupled model will be tested by a practical typical fast pyrolysis process in a fluidised bed reactor.
The student will be part of the Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) http://www.era.ac.uk/.
ERA is a cross-disciplinary energy innovation hub which brings together capital assets, data and intellectual leadership to foster collaboration between academia and business to accelerate the development of solutions to the global energy challenge. Building on existing programmes and academic expertise across the partnership, universities within ERA have committed over £2m for doctoral students as a critical part of the ERA skills agenda.
Delivered through Innovate UK, the government has committed an initial capital investment of £60m, and ERA has secured private sector co-investment of £120m. ERA’s initial priorities of Geo-Energy Systems, Integrated Energy Systems and Thermal Energy will help deliver the new technologies and behaviours that will open the avenues for its future development.
Person SpecificationThe successful applicant should have a first class or upper second class honours degree or equivalent qualification in chemical, mechanical engineering, mathematics or a related discipline. Preferred skill requirements include knowledge/experience of CFD or PBM modelling. Other modelling/simulation experiences are also welcome.
We would particularly like to encourage applications from women seeking to progress their academic careers. Aston University is committed to the principles of the Athena SWAN Charter, recognised recently by a prestigious Silver Award to EAS, and we pride ourselves on our vibrant, friendly and supportive working environment and family atmosphere.
For informal enquiries about this project and other opportunities within the European Bioenergy Research Institute, contact Dr Xi Yu [Email Address Removed] or Professor Tony Bridgwater [Email Address Removed]
The online application form, reference forms and details of entry requirements, including English language are available here:
http://www1.aston.ac.uk/eas/research/prospective-research-students/how-to-apply/
Applications should also be accompanied by a brief review of relevant research literature, and an explanation of how your knowledge and experience will benefit the project.
Closing Date: 26/05/17
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