Doctoral Candidate position MSCA Doctoral Networks

We are pleased to advertise one Doctoral Candidate position, as part of the Horizon Europe Doctoral Networks of the European Commission MFLOPS “Multiphase Flow Optimisation Strategies with Industrial Applications”. The position lasts three years (36 months) and the recruited Doctoral Candidate (DC) will be enrolled in a PhD programme. In addition to their individual doctoral project, the DC will benefit from a dedicated training programme comprising an integrated curriculum of local and network wide training activities related to the development of scientific knowledge and the enhancement of transferable skills.

Beneficiaries include:

1. Otto von Guericke Universität Magdeburg (Coordinator), DE
2. National Technical University of Athens, GR
3. AVL List GmbH, AT
4. Technische Universiteit Delft, NL
5. Hamburg University of Technology, DE
6. J.M. Voith SE & Co. KG, DE
7. ANDRITZ HYDRO GmbH, AT

The MFLOPS consortium includes also the following academic and non-academic partner organisations:

• ANDRITZ Hydro AG, CH
• ANSYS, DE
• Convergent Science, AT
• Maritime Research Institute Netherlands, NL
• Wartsila, NL
• OPTIMAD Engineering, IT
• Sandia National Lab, US
• Rolls Royce Plc, UK
• CITY, University of London, UK

The position is offered at CITY, University of London and is funded by UKRI.

Project Title: Optimisation methods for boiling bubble detachment size/frequency

Objectives: (1) To develop a methodology for the detachment of boiling bubbles from heated surfaces. To formulate appropriate objective functionals for heat flux, contact angle, conductivity and fluid flow properties affecting bubble detachment. (2) To apply optimisation methods aiming to minimize the bubble detachment size and maximize detachment frequency.

Expected Results: (1) VOF simulations will be performed with models considering the mass and heat transfer rates during the growth of the boiling bubbles. The variation of advancing and receding contact angles during the bubble growth and deformation under the influence of the convective flow will be considered until bubble detachment. (2) Considering as objective functions the minimum bubble detachment size and fastest detachment frequency, various parameters such as flow velocity, thermal conductivity patterns on the heated surfaces, contact angles and viscoelasticity of the surrounding fluid will be optimised.

Other responsibilities:

• Participation in the activities of the Doctoral Network
• Secondment and collaboration with partners of the MFLOPS Network

Project Background

MFLOPS will challenge today’s know-how on multiphase modelling methodologies combined with optimisation methods by developing and incorporating into industry-oriented numerical design tools based on new state-of-the-art optimisation strategies for: (1) cavitation and erosion in hydraulic turbines and marine propellers; (2) immiscible fluids (water-air) flows realised in PEM FC material layers suitable for both aviation and automotive powertrains as well as merchant/marine vessel hydrodynamics and (3) phase-change processes in high-pressure fuel injectors utilising e-fuels and boiling heat transfer processes realised in cooling systems for CI engines and emerging phase-change immersed cooling concepts for BTMS for EVs and electric motors.

These research areas align with Horizon Europe work programme objectives for Climate, Energy and Mobility and address the United Nations goals for ‘Affordable and green energy for all’.