Project: 

The project aims to demonstrate that geothermal energy in Ireland can be a technologically, economically and socially sustainable resource. 
The project, builds on solid expertise in chemical engineering thermodynamics and process simulations to design and develop suitable technologies 
maximizing the heat transfer and flows with phase change in heat pumps and other compact heat exchangers required for harnessing geothermal energy 
reserves. Two positions are available.


Overall Purpose of the Job / position #1 

This position (position #1) is available to undertake research in the area of multi-scale modelling of flows. 
The goal is to bridge the TRL-levels from 1 up to TRL-4 via simulations and in a later stage the detailed engineering 
towards a first generation prototype. This will include equipment unit calculations and sizing.  Different closed loop 
systems will be studied via the evaluation of thermodynamic cycles, and the evaluation of the feasibility of implementation 
as function of available geothermal resources and temperature gradients. More specifically, a screening study of different 
chemicals/refrigerants and the optimization of their heat-uptake performance of the available geothermal heat reservoir 
temperature (using ASPEN, Dynochem, COMSOL packages). A mixture of components will be selected on basis of a phase-transition 
point (melting/boiling) and we will determine the optimal composition of working fluids/chemicals via various phase diagrams. 
Appropriate methods will be used for the description of non-idealities and multiphase behaviour. The simulation work will be  
collaborative, incorporating also computational insights from CFD simulations (position #2). This is a unique opportunity for  
a dynamic and ambitious chemical/ mechanical engineering researcher with experience in multiphase flows (with phase change  
such as boiling, evaporation, condensation) and computational flow modelling at postgraduate or post-doctoral level. The 
successful candidate will develop new insights and ideas for simulating geothermal processes. The work will involve computational
as well as experimental components. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with project partners. A thorough 
knowledge of process simulations, thermodynamics of phase change, computational modelling is essential. Experience of simulating 
processes with multiphase flows   and/or flows with phase change like boiling or condensation is desirable.


Overall Purpose of the Job / position #2 

This position is available to undertake research in the area of multi-scale modelling of flows with phase changes in hear pipes. 
The goal is to develop high fidelity multi-scale computational models, validate these models using carefully designed experiments 
and apply these models for developing efficient heat pumps and compact heat exchangers required for harnessing geothermal energy. 
This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic and ambitious chemical/ mechanical engineering researcher with experience in multiphase 
flows (with phase change such as boiling, evaporation, condensation) and computational flow modelling at postgraduate or post-doctoral 
level. The successful candidate will develop new insights and ideas for simulating multiphase systems with phase changes. The work will 
involve computational as well as experimental components. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with other team 
members (position#1) and project partners. A thorough knowledge of multiphase flows, thermodynamics of phase change and computational 
modelling is essential. Experience of modelling flows with phase change like boiling or condensation will be desirable.



Qualifications 

* A doctoral degree (level 10 NFQ) in chemical / mechanical engineering or allied engineering fields.


Other expectations

* Contribute to the research programme of the Department under general guidance of a member of the academic staff or Principal 
Investigator/Project Leader.
* Define research objectives and proposals for own (or joint) research in line with research strategy.
* Conduct individual and/or collaborative research projects in a variety of settings (laboratory, creative performance, field, clinical setting).
* Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support as appropriate.
* Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations/commercial exploitation.
* Translate knowledge of advances in the subject area into research activity.



Emails for contacts:

Vivek.Ranade@ul.ie
Matthias.Vandichel@ul.ie
geothermal.energy.ireland@gmail.com