Flows in automotive catalyst systems: Turbulence modelling of steady and unsteady planar jets with downstream resistance

Automotive exhaust systems employ catalysts and after-treatment devices in order to minimise the environmental impact of road transportation. Due to size/weight restrictions a sudden increase in the diameter of the exhaust pipe is typically needed to accommodate the catalyst, resulting in highly separated and unsteady flow. This translates into a maldistribution of the velocity profile as the exhaust gases enters the catalyst, leading to a deterioration of the system’s performance.

In order to reduce design costs and to improve the performance of catalyst systems, computational models (CFD) are used. However, existing RANS models cannot predict the development of many flow features with sufficient accuracy due to inherent limitations in their formulation, such as, the assumption that turbulence is not anisotropic (statistically dissimilar in any given direction).

The aim of this PhD project, based in the new Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, is to develop and validate a novel anisotropic RANS model fine-tuned to also deal with the downstream flow resistance imposed by the catalyst.

The main objectives of the project are:

• To develop and implement an anisotropic/second order RANS model by extending an in-house 3-equation first order model
• To validate the model in 2D under steady/unsteady conditions without resistance
• To validate the model in 3D under steady/unsteady conditions with downstream resistance

The Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) is a £32m+ collaboration between Coventry University and Unipart Manufacturing. This project is supported by the Higher Education Funding Council for England’s Catalyst Fund.

AME is building a bespoke ‘Faculty on the Factory Floor’ at Unipart Eberspächer’s site in the heart of Coventry.

This forms the focal point of activity and has state-of-the-art robotic automation, forming, joining, analysis and simulation, metrology and product verification technology.

Link: http://www.coventry.ac.uk/ame/

• A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the Project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average.
• or in the event of a first degree classification of less than 2:1, a Masters Degree in a relevant subject area will be considered as an equivalent. The Masters must have been attained with overall marks at merit level (60%). In addition, the dissertation or equivalent element in the Masters must also have been attained with a mark at merit level (60%).
• the potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a three-year period of study
• a minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component)

Award Details: Tuition Fees + Bursary £13863 per year (tax free)