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Multi-fidelity aero-thermodynamic modelling of two-phase flows in supercritical carbon dioxide compressors

The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers
14 Dec 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company
Politecnico di Milano
Department
Department of Energy
Research Field
Engineering » Mechanical engineering
Engineering » Industrial engineering
Engineering » Process engineering
Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country
Italy
Application Deadline
Type of Contract
Temporary
Job Status
Full-time
Hours Per Week
37.5
Offer Starting Date
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
HE / MSCA
Reference Number
DC4
Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number
101120366
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No

Offer Description

The green transition of energy systems requires the implementation of novel emerging energy conversion technologies based on turbomachinery with two-phase flow. In this context, we offer the best possible training for young scientists, providing excellent career opportunities both in academia and industry, as part of a recently started MSCA-DN (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Doctoral Network) project on two-phase flow in turbomachinery, entitled Training42Phase. The aim of Training42Phase is to educate the future leading scientists within turbomachinery with two-phase flow, thereby providing the scientific and technological basis required for the development of the next generation of turbomachinery, see https://training42phase.dtu.dk/ for more details. 

In the frame of this project, the Department of Energy of Politecnico di Milano opens one PhD position with focus on two-phase flows in supercritical CO2 compressors, including an industrial secondment hosted by the company Baker Hughes – Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie, and an academic secondment at Imperial College London. The main objectives of this research are to:

(1) identify the physical model best suited for cavitation and condensation in high-speed flows, considering non-equilibrium, and meta-stable effects;

(2) develop specific two-phase flow models for supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2), considering the non-ideal thermodynamics of the individual fluid phases;

(3) implement high-fidelity phase-transition models within a CFD software and validate the approach against experiments for flashing and condensing high-speed flows of sCO2;

(4) apply the model/software to the analysis of existing sCO2compressors and compare against experiments for an industry-relevant compressor (already available);

(5) implement the two-phase model within the in-house Politecnico di Milano evolutionary optimization tool FORMA and perform shape-optimizations of a novel sCO2 compressor targeting minimal impact of phase change on performance and rangeability, and ensuring structural integrity and safe operation.

Requirements

Research Field
Engineering » Mechanical engineering
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field
Engineering » Aerospace engineering
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field
Engineering » Thermal engineering
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field
Engineering » Industrial engineering
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Specific Requirements
  • Earned degree:
    • MSc in Energy, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or related area). In the latter two cases, preference will be given to candidates with a specialization in energy/power/propulsion or related areas
    • MSc with a final score no lower than 95/110 or 86/100
    • See the attached document for the requirement on the final score in International Education Systems 

 

  • Background (mandatory):
    • Thermodynamics
    • Thermo-fluid-dynamics
    • Turbomachinery design and analysis
    • Power plant engineering
    • Matlab/Python programming
    • Fundamentals of CFD and FEM

 

  • Additional background that will be valued in the selection process:
    • Advanced thermodynamics
    • Advanced computational fluid dynamics

     

    • English language:

    A certification of the level of English is required. See the attached document for a list of the certifications accepted by the Politecnico di Milano and the corresponding levels.  

     

      Languages
      ENGLISH
      Level
      Excellent
      Internal Application form(s) needed
      Recruitment-DC4-WP4.pdf
      English
      (447.64 KB - PDF)
      Download

      Additional Information

      Eligibility criteria

      According to the MSCA-DN mobility clause; the applicant must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the date of recruitment. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention1 are not taken into account.

      Selection process

      Stage 1

      The first stage of the evaluation procedure will be based on the applicant’s Application Package, comprised of the following items:

      • CV
      • Letter of motivation
      • A short essay (maximum length is 3 pages, including references) on the following topic: Turbomachinery for sCO2 power systems: advantages and challenges

      Stage 2

      The second stage of the evaluation procedure will consist of a personal interview, including presentation and round-table discussion. This interview will be carried out online. If deemed necessary, a second interview can be arranged with some or all of the candidates in this second phase

      Additional comments

      The MSCA project Training42Phase is opening 12 PhD positions in European Institutes and Companies. Full details on the positions are available at the project website. 

      Applicants may apply to more than one open position.

      Website for additional job details

      Work Location(s)

      Number of offers available
      1
      Company/Institute
      Politecnico di Milano
      Country
      Italy
      City
      Milano
      Postal Code
      20156
      Street
      Via Lambruschini 4
      Geofield

      Contact

      City
      MILANO
      Website
      Street
      Via Lambruschini 4
      Postal Code
      20156
      E-Mail
      giacomo.persico@polimi.it
      Phone
      +390223998605