Join our effort to improve alkaline water electrolyser stacks through
computational modelling!
Job description
Hydrogen generated from green electricity in water electrolysers is currently
widely considered as an essential ingredient for a successful energy transition.
Hydrogen bubbles form, coalesce, rise, and move through various parts of the
electrolyser, influencing the distribution of flow, current, dissolved gas, and
heat. Various problems associated with gas bubbles can arise, including flow
maldistributions, the formation of hot spots, and the unwanted crossover of gas.
To minimise energy losses and improve safety, you will build a comprehensive
computational multiphase flow model including heat and mass transport.
As part of a consortium of Dutch universities and companies (HyPro,
https://groenvermogennl.org/project/hypro-onderzoek-naar-technische-risicos-en-
kostenverlaging-van-groene-waterstof/) you will look at larger-scale flow
phenomena in good communication with a similar effort at AVOXT. At the TU/e a
postdoc will work on small-scale bubble release, in collaboration with Veco
Precision. Battolyser Systems will develop a CFD model of bubble behaviour
within a cell on different electrode types and topologies.
A turbulent Euler-Euler two-fluid model or mixture model is envisioned, coupled
to transport of current, heat and dissolved gas. The model will be implemented
in commercial software like Ansys Fluent or an open source code like OpenFoam.
Working models for various aspects of electrolyser modelling are already used in
our groups and may be expanded upon.
You will be part of the lively research groups of Willem Haverkort
(http://jwhaverkort.weblog.tudelft.nl) and Johan Padding
(https://www.tudelft.nl/en/me/about/departments/process-energy/research/complex-
fluid-processing), including a mix of experimental and computational students,
PhDs, and other researchers. Occasional work visits or consortium meetings to
the collaborative partners are foreseen. Various experimental projects are
running in parallel, and you are encouraged to regularly leave your computer, go
into the lab and directly compare your results to experiments. Within Delft
there is a flourishing community of researchers working on various types and
aspects of electrolysis (https://www.tudelft.nl/e-refinery)
We can use your enthusiasm for CFD to help the energy transition and look
forward to meet you and work on this challenging topic together!
Job requirements
As our new colleague you:
Hold a master’s degree in an engineering or scientific discpline,
Have a keen interest in computational modelling and fluid mechanics,
Are a highly motivated and self-driven researcher, capable of working both
independently and as part of a team, and
Have an excellent command of written and spoken English.
Experience with Ansys Fluent, OpenFoam, or COMSOL or training in multiphase flow
is a plus.
Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection
procedure, please contact HR advisor Linda Verhaar, via recruitment-
me@tudelft.nl.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 5 January 2025
via the application button and upload the following documents:
CV.
Motivational letter.
A list of courses taken and grades obtained.
A copy or link to your Master's thesis.
Contact details of 2-3 references.
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