Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Shipping and Marin Technology, and Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Department of Mechanical Engineering announces a joint PhD position within the field of thermodynamic modelling of ship machinery systems. The PhD candidate will be employed by Chalmers but be located mostly at DTU in Copenhagen and doing the PhD following the DTU standards (see http://www.dtu.dk/Forskning/Phd-uddannelse.aspx).

Shipping faces a number of challenges related to sustainability in the coming decades. Although sea transport has been regarded as energy efficient and environmentally friendly, it is a fact that the shipping sector has not decreased its energy demand or emissions to any large extent in recent years while other sectors have achieved large reductions.  The potential for reduction of CO₂ emissions from the sector has recently been evaluated by a working group within the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the potential for reduction was estimated to between 25 and 75 % and a work plan to provide incentives for reduction has been issued. Improved machinery systems would provide one important issue for reduction. The potential as well as the incentives for fuel and emissions savings are thus large.

Chalmers and DTU have decided to jointly develop the competence within modelling of the energy turnover in ship machinery systems with special focus on optimization of energy use and will start a common PhD project in this area. The PhD project will be aimed at designing highly efficient machinery systems for large passenger vessels and developing methodologies for estimating the potential for power production of various waste heat recovery systems. Machinery systems under consideration include diesel engines or gas turbines with waste heat recovery systems based on regular Rankine cycles (using water/steam as working fluid) or cycles using unconventional working fluids (e.g. Organic Rankine Cycles and Kalina cycles). The work includes the development of thermodynamic simulation tools and the application of energy and exergy analysis. Furthermore, methodologies for estimating mass and volume requirements of new main engine systems will be developed within the project. The fulfilment of coming emission regulations with respect to, for example, sulphur and nitrogen oxides will be an important parameter.

Applicants should hold a master's degree in engineering or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree in engineering. Strong skills and a great interest in engineering thermodynamics are essential; in particular are needed knowledge about the fundamentals of combustion engines and gas turbines. Previous experience of numerical simulation work and programming is a great advantage. Applicants should have good analytical skills and good ability to work independently towards the research goals. Furthermore, fluency in speaking, reading and writing English is important.

For further information, please contact:

Karin Andersson, Chalmers
Phone: +46 31 772 2152
e-mail: karin.andersson@chalmers.se

Fredrik Haglind, DTU
Phone:  +45 4525 4113
e-mail: frh@mek.dtu.dk

• SACO: Jan Lindér
• ST: Marie Wenander
• SEKO: Johan Persson

All reachable via Chalmers exchange: +46 31 772 10 00