Research Area: Materials & Processes
Project description: Advanced oil and gas exploration, drilling and production technologies aimed at enhancing fossil fuel recovery under continuous operation increasingly rely on high-performance CFD modeling methods: the latter provide valuable insight for systems design and operation by means of flow simulation and visualization. As more intricate technologies (underbalanced drilling/UBD, hydraulic fracturing) emerge rapidly to meet market pressure, addressing the demand for profound understanding of multiphase flow within such complex systems becomes essential. This project will focus on the development, testing, and validation of CFD models analyzing solid-liquid (SL) and solid-liquid-gas (SLG) flows under various geometric and operational configurations; key objectives include flow assurance, fouling minimization and production optimization.
Eligibility and qualifications: Applicants must be of outstanding academic merit: a first class or upper second class honours undergraduate degree (or International equivalent) is the minimum qualification requirement. Candidates should have a degree in chemical engineering (or related area), ideally with research exposure to one or more of the following areas: CFD simulation, mathematical modeling, dynamic simulation, process optimization. Prior experience in CFD modeling environments, MATLAB, and programming is strongly preferred. Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential.
Applications: To ensure proper and timely processing, applicants are *required* to complete and submit their applications and credentials via one of the following two URLs (please select the "Apply Online" / "Apply" button, respectively):
http://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=46215
PhD Supervisor: Dr Dimitrios Gerogiorgis
Application Deadline: Open until position filled
Informal Enquiries to: [log in to unmask]
Further information: www.eng.ed.ac.uk/drupal/research/IMP
Funding Availability: Open to UK/EU/Overseas applicants. Studentships will cover University fees (at UK/EU or overseas rate), plus a stipend for 3.5 years at the enhanced EPSRC rate (£14,640 for 2013/14).