University of Nottingham - Faculty of Engineering – Division of Materials, Mechanics and Structures
| Qualification type: | PhD |
| Location: | Nottingham |
| Funding for: | UK Students, EU Students |
| Funding amount: | £13,863 per annum |
| Hours: | Full Time |
| Placed on: | 25th March 2015 |
| Closes: | 30th June 2015 |
| Reference: | ENG854 |
Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship (3 years) to work within the Division of Materials, Mechanics and Structures Research Division within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham.
Project Background
The 2011 UK government white paper report “Planning our electric future: a White Paper for secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity” highlights the need for a diverse range of energy production methods. While renewable technologies will receive significant investment, low carbon versions of more traditional power generation methods (i.e. fossil plants) will still be major contributors to the UK's energy market for some time, in an increasingly efficient and flexible manner (accommodating varying generation requirements). The project will address several structural integrity concerns that are consequences of these new operating philosophies.
To generate electricity in an efficient and flexible manner, steam temperatures and pressures will increase (some present design trends suggest main steam lines will increase from approximately 550°C at 15MPa to 700°C at 30MPa) and units will cycle between full, partial and off load states with higher frequencies. From a structural integrity perspective, these conditions will potentially intensify damage accumulation due to, for example, creep and thermal fatigue mechanisms. If safe and economic operation is to be achieved, the effect of these more arduous conditions on remnant component life must be considered. With accurate component condition analysis, unit operation could be tuned to minimise damage, on-site inspections could be targeted more effectively and previously unexpected maintenance could be anticipated.
The project will focus on the analysis of components in the steam system (such as headers and pipework) of a coal fired station. The project will look to determine the stresses in these components due to several loads. By estimating time vs. stress profiles, damage due to creep and fatigue mechanisms can be approximated.
The successful PhD student will work alongside a postdoctoral researcher involved in a related project. This project is supported industrially by EDF through an EPSRC case study.
Studentship Information
The studentship is expected to start on 1st October 2015 and will cover PhD tuition fees and a tax free stipend for three years (£13,863 per annum) for UK/EU students.
Students must have a 1st or 2:1 class academic qualification in a Materials or Engineering related subject. A Masters degree in a similar discipline and/or experience in high temperature materials will be an advantage.
To make an application, please send a covering letter stating clearly how you fulfil the requirements of the studentship, your research interests and include a CV, academic transcripts and the names and addresses of two academic referees, to Christopher.Hyde<στο>nottingham.ac.uk.
Please quote ref: ENG854
Closing date: 30 June 2015
Interviews are expected to take place in July 2015
