PhD position in topology optimization of heat exchanger manifolds for heat pumps

pumps

(ref. BAP-2023-145)

Last modification : Friday, March 24, 2023

The PhD researcher will be part of the Innovative Design for Energy Applications Lab ("IDEAL") of Prof. Maarten Blommaert. The research group is embedded in the Mechanical Engineering Department of KU Leuven, Europe s most innovative university Reuters, member of the EnergyVille research collaboration for sustainable energy research, and located at Geel campus. Building on prof. Blommaert s expertise on numerical optimization of flow and heat transfer, IDEAL focuses on the optimal design of (thermal) energy components and systems through free-shape and topology optimization techniques. As such, the group aims at increasing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and realizing cost savings. On the energy component level, the performance is maximized through the development, implementation, and validation of model-based shape and topology optimization techniques that maximally exploit the degrees of freedom offered by present-day manufacturing processes. Applications include the design of highly effective heat exchangers and the design of heat-resistant heat sinks for nuclear fusion reactors. At energy system level, the group aims at navigating the ever more complex design challenges of renewable-based heating networks with nonlinear transport models and optimization techniques. Its close research collaborations with other academic research groups in heat and fluid engineering, computational techniques, material sciences, and manufacturing processes on the one hand, and valorization partners in EnergyVille and industry on the other, creates a unique environment where fundamental research findings pave the way to design innovation in energy applications.

The research group is presently looking for a motivated PhD researcher to work in the context of a project in which the IDEAL group collaborates with other KU Leuven research groups with expertise on heat pumps and on additive manufacturing to drastically reduce the refrigerant charge in heat pumps. This reduction is crucial in the transition towards refrigerants with lower global warming potential, since the introduction of several candidate refrigerants is hampered by their flammability that imposes a maximal refrigerant charge on the heat pump.

The PhD student will be responsible for the development of 3D topology optimization techniques to minimize the amount of refrigerant in the manifolds of the evaporator and condenser, while robustly achieving high performance of the heat pump in different operational modes. To do so, he/she will strongly collaborate with 2 other PhD students that focus on the modelling and design of the heat pump at the system level on the one hand, and the optimal design of the heat exchanger core on the other. In addition, the PhD student is responsible for conducting a measurement campaign on the optimized manifold designs to validate their performance.

Where topology optimization has revolutionized solid mechanics design optimization over the last decades and is gaining traction in flow optimization over recent years, the use of these techniques in heat pump design is an exciting new application. As a former member of and close collaborator with KU Leuven s Thermal Fluid Engineering (TFE) team, prof. Blommaert s IDEAL research group builds on the wide expertise that the TFE group has in flow and heat transfer modelling, simulation, and optimization. Moreover, with the state-of-the-art large-scale finite-element simulation and optimization software for flow and heat transfer that has jointly been developed (on the basis of the FEniCS software package), the way is paved to innovative compact evaporators and condenser designs for heatpumps..

You are a highlymotivated, enthusiastic and communicative researcher, and you are strongly interestedin the development of numerical simulation and optimization methods for heatexchangers. Moreover, you are a team player that enjoys collaborating withpeople within the research group, the project, and beyond, and have

Additional research/educational experience in any of the following topics is considered a strong advantage:

The successful candidate is expected to start as early as possible, but no later than October 1st 2023 (upon agreement with Prof. Blommaert)

Applicants should express their interest by sending an email to prof. Maarten Blommaert via the dedicated email address [email protected] email should strictly contain the following information in the text body, in bullets:

-Name

-Master degree(Master specification, University + Country, Year obtained, Promotor)

-Master thesis title

-The vacancy you apply for

-A one paragraph(up to half an A4 page) statement explaining the motivation for applying for this vacancy at KU Leuven.

-Please also attach an academic CV to your email

Do not directly apply in the online system as referred to below. This will be only necessary for selected candidates in a second stage. Note that if you do not receive a response to your email within three weeks, this means you have not been selected for the second stage. Decision: as soon as a suitable candidate applies (so do not wait 'till the closing date to apply). For more information please contact prof. Maarten Blommaert and his team via [email protected].

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at [email protected].