Scholarships Source

Department/faculty: Applied Sciences
Level: Master degree
Working hours: Maximum of 38 hours per week (1 FTE)
Contract: Four years
Salary: Maximum of €2558 per month gross

The Faculty of Applied Sciences is the largest faculty of TU Delft, with around 550 scientists, a support staff of 250 and 1,400 students. The faculty conducts fundamental, application-oriented research and offers scientific education at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The faculty is active in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Applied Physics.

The focus of the Department of Multi-Scale Physics (www.msp.tudelft.nl) is developing the conceptual understanding and enabling detailed control of fluid dynamics and transport phenomena at all relevant time and length scales as occurring in a wide variety of industrial and environmental processes. Our approach is typically ‘Applied Physics’ and strongly technological. We aim at combining scientific rigor and industrial relevance in an internationally recognized centre of excellence where the participating individuals have the opportunity to contribute to the science behind the technology.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Many hydroprocessing trickle bed reactors have the potential of developing runaway reactions which may ultimately result in vessel failure, due to excessive pressure and excessive temperature of the vessel wall. The formation of these hot zones is of crucial practical importance and a clear fundamental understanding of these hot spot formations would be advantageous.
The aim of this project is to develop a fundamental model based on first principles to handle thermodynamics and reactors, and employ CFD (computational fluid dynamics) to characterize the flow, both under normal operating conditions (good flow distribution) and in the presence of gross maldistribution, e.g., blockages to the flow.
The question at hand is: what is the best approach to detect and mitigate highly localized but gross flow maldistribution in the reactor, caused, for example, by a partial blockage at the top of the bed (e.g., by a malfunctioning or ill-designed tray section)? Addressing this question demands a better, more fundamental understanding of flow characteristics, reactivity and thermodynamics in the bed.

REQUIREMENTS

We are looking for (applied) physicists or chemical engineers with a firm background in fluid mechanics and transport phenomena and with an affinity for relevant modelling and computational methods. Delft University of Technology is a bilingual organization; a good command of written and spoken English is essential.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The successful candidate will be employed full-time by TU Delft for a fixed period of 4 years within which he or she is expected to write a dissertation leading to a doctoral degree (PhD thesis). The monthly salary for a PhD will be to a maximum of € 2558 gross in the fourth year.
TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week, free high-speed Internet access from home, and the option of assembling a customized compensation and benefits package (the 'IKA'). Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Delft University of Technology strives to increase the number of women in higher academic positions; women are therefore especially encouraged to apply.

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

For more information about this position or to apply, please contact Prof. R. F. Mudde, phone: +31 (0)15-2782834, e-mail: Applicants-MSP-TNW@tudelft.nl. To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV along with a letter of application by October 31, 2008 to Prof. Mudde at: Applicants-MSP-TNW@tudelft.nl.
When applying for this position, make sure to mention vacancy number TNWMSP08-042.

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated.

For more information please visit: http://www.vacaturesindelft.nl/vacature.php?id=1199&lang=eng