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EURAXESS

Modelling and design of novel two-phase ejectors and expanders for transcritical heat-pumps

The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers
17 Dec 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company
Politecnico di Milano
Department
Department of Energy
Research Field
Engineering » Mechanical engineering
Engineering » Thermal engineering
Engineering » Simulation engineering
Engineering » Industrial 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
DC5
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 ejectors and expanders in trans-critical heat pumps, including an industrial secondment hosted by the company Danfoss. The main objectives of this research are to:

(1) select the proper physical models for the high-fidelity prediction of equilibrium and non-equilibrium flashing flows;

(2) construct specific two-phase flow models for multiple refrigerant fluids, including carbon dioxide, for implementation in one existing and validated CFD software and validate the approach against experiments in flashing flows of CO2 and refrigerants;

(3) perform shape-optimization of ejectors for heat pumps, by implementing the two-phase CFD tool within the in-house Politecnico di Milano evolutionary optimization tool FORMA, and considering reliability aspects;

(4) conceive a novel two-phase turbo-expander tailored for application in heat pumps and quantify the potential performance increase, considering a combined system and expander optimization.

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 » Simulation engineering
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field
Physics » Computational physics
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Specific Requirements
  • Earned degree:
    • MSc in Energy, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or related area), as well Physics and Mathematics, with a focus on Applied Computational Physics.
    • 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
    • Fluid-Machine design and analysis
    • Power plant engineering
    • Matlab/Python programming
    • Fundamentals of CFD

 

  • 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-DC5-WP4.pdf
    English
    (445.52 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: Performance improvement devices for trans-critical heat pumps: opportunities 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
    00390223998605