Portable thermal energy storage for localised cooling in offices

Summary

Personal Cooling is becoming a health requirement in offices and other work places as climate change impacts ambient summer temperatures leading to higher internal temperatures in buildings than originally predicted during its design and construction.

Also changes to workplaces have increased internal gains through the use of IT and other equipment.  To avoid a need to retrofit expensive (and energy consuming ) air conditioning to a building, this project seeks to review and develop efficient, low cost, personalised cooling systems which can be deployed in a workplace by facilities managers.  These devices can be charged with coolth overnight using cheap grid electricity, and used to cool local working environments.

The work will involve assessing materials which will be useful in storing thermal energy.

A good understanding of the physics of air flow and heat transfer is required for this project.  An understanding of thermal comfort is desirable.  The work will involve experimental analysis using Particle Imaging Veloicementry.  Knowledge of computational fluid dynamics will be desirable.

The work will also involve techno-economic analysis to determine their financial viability and sustainability will be measured using circular economy principles.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years* (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period (individual project advertisements will note where part time options apply).

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.