Partial PhD Studentship - Micro Combined Heat and Power (mCHP) Systems for Domestic Applications
Faculty of Computing, Engineering & Sciences
Location: Stoke campus
Tenure: 3 years
Partial PhD Studentship - Micro Combined Heat and Power (mCHP) Systems for Domestic Applications: An Investigation into the Main Technology Prime Movers
Faculty of Computing, Engineering & Sciences
The studentship is provided by the Faculty of Computing, Engineering, and Sciences. The studentship includes waiver of tuition fees, and no stipend is provided. Applicant can be from UK, EU, or international.
The 3 year PhD studentship will be based at Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent. The PhD studentship will focus on state-of-the-art technologies in Micro Combined Heat and Power (mCHP) systems for domestic applications.
Combined heat and power (CHP) is the simultaneous production of heat and electricity from a single source, close to where they are to be used. This means that the heat and electricity generated can be used in the building extremely efficiently because there is no energy wastage or loss during transportation to another site. Although large scale CHP boilers have been available for many years for commercial use, micro combined heat and power systems (also known as mCHP, Micro-CHP or domestic CHP), with an electrical power of <50 kW, are relatively new systems - generating low cost, low carbon electricity and heat for homes and domestic applications. The Government's Micro-generation Strategy has identified mCHP as one of the key technologies to offer a realistic alternative to centrally generated electricity in the future smart cities.
This PhD work is aiming to provide a detailed technical and economical analyses of four major prime movers in the mCHP systems (Gas engines, Stirling engines, Fuel cells and Micro turbines technologies). A full process simulation, performance analysis and operational flexibilities of the micro-CHP systems for residential use will need to be provided. Integration of this systems with the renewable sources like solar, wind and bio-fuel burnt systems will also be investigated. Through this project a full techno-economic evaluation and risk analysis of these technologies will be provided and the best cogeneration energy option for the UK and worldwide domestic market will be identified.
The successful candidate will be required as part of their studentship to engage in up to 6 hours of undergraduate teaching per week during the term time. Proper teaching skill training will be provided by the university.
The student will register initially for the award of MPhil and will be expected to transfer to Ph.D. registration within 12-15 months (subject to satisfactory progress and approval of the transfer report).
The anticipated start date is January 2017.
Applicants are expected to have:
- A 1st or 2nd upper class BEng degree in Engineering, Physics, or related field. A MEng/MSc degree in the above field will be desirable.
- An in-depth knowledge of thermofluids and process simulation, and an interest in the low carbon energy engineering research.
- Prior knowledge/experience of combined heat and power systems will be an advantage.
To APPLY click "Further official information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://jobs.staffs.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=CES16-PHD1