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School of Applied Sciences is recognised globally for its multi-disciplinary approach to research and teaching in relation to manufacturing, materials, and environmental science and technology. Cranfield is third in the UK for the impact of its mechanical, aeronautical and manufacturing research. We received a strong result in the Agriculture Unit of Assessment with 85% gaining international status and 40% of that research being deemed of an internationally excellent standard*. We are one of the UK's top five research intensive universities**. Through our focus on fundamental research and its application to meet the needs of industry and society, Applied Sciences is a major contributor to these positions. We have a successful track record of working closely with organisations around the world. Our success is due to our staff and the quality of the students whose careers we help develop. We operate key facilities which underpin our research, teaching and short courses.
*In relation to the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). ** Research income as a percentage of turnover.... |
Part funded by the Biomass and Fossil Fuel Research Alliance (BF2RA) and an EPSRC DTA grant, a studentship of £13,590 p.a. for 3 years is available together withUK/EU tuition fees for qualified candidates*
Applications are invited from highly motivated and enthusiastic individuals with a keen interest in surface engineering and high temperature materials.
The fundamental research challenge to be addressed in this PhD project is to identify coating compositions that will resist the corrosion environments found on heat exchanger tubes (superheater/ reheater) in power generating boilers firing a high proportion of biomass fuels. The use of biomass in utility boilers offers a means to reduce global CO2 emissions by introducing CO2 neutral fuels into the power generation industry. However, biomass firing can have a significant effect on the fireside corrosion of the heat exchanger materials; resulting in premature component failure and unscheduled shut-downs. The development of effective corrosion resistance coatings would enable power plant operators to combat the corrosion problems arising from utilising a high proportion of biomass and so operate at higher efficiencies.
The successful PhD candidate will utilize “combinatorial alloy development” methods using a multi-target magnetron sputtering system to manufacture a wide range of potential coating compositions (i.e. varying combinations of Cr, Al, Ni, Co and Fe). The model coatings will then be exposed in controlled atmosphere furnaces to simulate combustion environments found in boilers firing fuels with a high share of biomass.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have an UK upper second class honours degree or equivalent in chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering or a related discipline. A master degree relating to surface engineering, high temperature materials or corrosion science is desirable but not essential.
*Funding
This is a multidisciplinary collaborative effort between the Centre for Energy and Resource Technology and the Surface Science and Engineering Centre at Cranfield University. The project is part funded by the Biomass and Fossil Fuel Research Alliance (BF2RA), and so will have close links to industrial application of the technology. An EPSRC DTA grant will co-fund the project - to find out about eligibility criteria http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/funding/students/Pages/eligibility.aspx
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Applicants are eligible for a bursary of up to £13,590 p.a. for the duration of the award dependent upon qualifications and experience. This studentship will cover the tuition fees for qualified UK/EU students only. Non UK/EU students will have to pay Cranfield University Tuition Fees find out more here |
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How to apply:
If you are eligible to apply for this research studentship, please complete the online application form, or you can request that we post one to you. For further information contact us today:
School of Applied Sciences
T: +44 (0)1234 754086
E: appliedsciences
cranfield.ac.uk
