Dr I Pinson
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) has been a significant and common cause of failure in process plant pipework. A large amount of research and development has been carried out to produce NDT methods to detect and measure the problem. This has resulted in products such as guided wave that can screen a large area under insulation by exposing a small part. Electromagnetic methods have also been developed as they can be used without removing insulation, culminating the commercial products LYFT and MAXWELL. However neither of these two products can carry out inspections through a covering of galvanised steel (the majority of insulated pipework).
TWI has developed, through an earlier PhD, a technique which had proof of concept for this application, but the work require further research.
Research Detail
An initial part of the work would be for the student to obtain an understanding of the problem and the existing methods of solving it. The models used in the earlier PhD need to be enhanced by including (in particular) the magnetisation of the steel covering in more detail (i.e. a known hysteresis curve rather than a fixed value of permeability). It will be necessary to establish experimentally what this curve is.
The choice of sensors in the existing system (Geant magnetic (GMR’s) will also be evaluated, and compared with any newly available sensors (e.g. quantum well Hall Effect sensors) to see if improvement can be made.
About Industrial Sponsor
The Lloyd’s Register Foundation funds the advancement of engineer-related education and research and supports work that enhances safety of life at sea, on land and in the air, because life matters. Lloyd’s Register Foundation is partly funded by the profits of their trading arm Lloyd’s Register Group Limited, a global engineering, technical and business services organisation.
About NSIRC
NSIRC is a state-of-the-art postgraduate engineering facility established and managed by structural integrity specialist TWI, working closely with, top UK and International Universities and a number of leading industrial partners. NSIRC aims to deliver cutting edge research and highly qualified personnel to its key industrial partners.
Academic Requirements
Candidates should have a relevant degree at 2.1 minimum, or an equivalent overseas degree. Candidates with suitable work experience and strong capacity in numerical modelling and experimental skills are particularly welcome to apply. Overseas applicants should also submit IELTS results (minimum 6.5) if applicable
Funding Notes
Up to £24k in scholarships
This project is funded by Lloyds Register Foundation, TWI and academic partners. The studentship will provide successful Home/EU students with a stipend of £16k/year and will cover the cost of tuition fees. Overseas applicants are welcome to apply, with total funding capped at £24k/year
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