Luleå University of Technology is in strong growth with world-leading competence in several research areas. We shape the future through innovative education and ground-breaking research results, and based on the Arctic region, we create global social benefit. Our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has a total turnover of SEK 1.9 billion per year. We currently have 1,840 employees and 17,670 students.

In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in large projects in Northern Sweden to create a fossil-free society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these cutting-edge research projects and in the societal transformation that they entail. We offer a broad range of courses and study programmes to match the skills in demand. We hope that you will help us to build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.

Take the chance to become part of the competence center AdTherM - Advanced Computing for Sustainable Thermal Management in Industry - together with us at Fluid Mechanics at Luleå University of Technology. We are now looking for three PhD students within the area of multiphase flow and convective heat and mass transfer. You will be a part of a strong and strategic consortium where industry and academia work together to develop and design the next-generation technologies for sustainable thermal management.

The research subject Fluid Mechanics is part of the Department of Engineering Physics and Mathematics at Luleå University of Technology. The department's research extends over many different subject areas, providing great possibilities for interdisciplinary collaborations.

As employed as a PhD student at the university many benefits are included, e.g the possibility of health promotion activities during working hours. If you want to know more about the terms and benefits you have as a PhD student at Luleå University of Technology and the current salary situation, read more at the Doctoral Student Section.

Subject description
Fluid Mechanics comprises the study of flow in porous media, multiphase flow and rheology, linked to industrial production, fluid flow optimisation and design of energy technology applications and magneto hydrodynamics.

Project description
We are looking for three PhD students, each assigned to one of the following three projects:

The transport of single droplets in industrial environments
This project aim to develop and validate numerical models for individual droplets moving in industrial conditions with regards to temperature, humidity, pressure, and other factors. Phase change, formation of droplets, and droplet-solid interactions are key areas of the study, where the goal is to refine the models that are currently used in industry. The modelling may be done with DNS/LES/LBM and with increased complexity regarding flow, surface properties, phase change, and influence from neighboring droplets. Water droplets will be studied at first hand, but metal droplets may also be considered.

Optimal heat transfer and heat recovery considering detailed geometries, surfaces texture and wall treatment
Here models should be developed to accurately describe the heat transfer of detailed geometries, surface textures and wall treatments. The initial focus will be on optimizing these geometries for enhanced heat transfer and heat recovery, as well as to study their sensitivity to e.g. incoming flow conditions. The models will be implemented, verified and validated with LES/DNS/LBM results and PIV/LES on benchmark cases, and may be based on Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs). In a second stage focus is set on heat transfer for different surface textures including anisotropic surfaces and the generation of secondary flows. In a third stage the effect of surface treatment and fouling will be considered.

Reactive flow through a moving bed of porous particles
A continuum-based model of the reactive flow through a moving bed of porous particles will be set-up and run for different processing conditions. In parallel a couple of representative cells are defined and the flow through these cells is modelled numerically with URANS/RANS, LES or LBM. This is done with increased complexity regarding flow, heat, chemistry, and relative motion of the particles. The findings of the simulations with the representative cells are continuously fed into the continuum model. Methods to model the flow through single porous particles will also be evaluated and experiments will be carried out when required.

The work will be carried out as part of the competence center AdTherM, which brings together a broad spectrum of partners and technologies with key roles in the sustainability value chain. The center is envisioned to be a platform around models and methods for sustainable energy conversion, heat management, and energy recovery. The project takes place in close cooperation between academia, industry and small and medium sized enterprises. Joint PhD courses will be offered at the partner universities Lund University, the Royal Institute of Technology, and Luleå University of Technology. The project is funded by VINNOVA.

Duties
As a PhD student you are expected to perform both experimental and theoretical work within your research studies as well as communicate your results at national and international conferences and in scientific journals. Most of your working time will be devoted to your own research studies. In addition, you can have the opportunity to try the teacher role. As a researcher, you work as a neutral party in many contexts, which provides a great opportunity to be involved in challenging development projects.

Qualifications
We are looking for you who hold a MSc degree in e.g. engineering physics, mechanical engineering, energy technology or a related subject, preferably with courses in fluid mechanics at advanced level. The applicant should have good oral and written skills in English. Experience of numerical methods such as CFD and/or experimental work is considered as an advantage.

For further information about a specific subject see General syllabus for the Board of the faculty of science and technology

Further information
Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 20%. Placement: Luleå. Starting: According to agreement

For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Anna-Lena Ljung, +46 920 491320, anna-lena.ljung@ltu.se or Chaired Professor Staffan Lundström, +46 920 492392, staffan.lundstrom@ltu.se.

Union representatives:
SACO-S Kjell Johansson +46 920 491529 kjell.johansson@ltu.se
OFR-S Lars Frisk, +46 920 491792 lars.frisk@ltu.se

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application
We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, personal letter and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish.

Closing date for applications: 26 May 2024
Reference number: 1803-2024

 

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