The subject

Swirling flows and vortex chambers have been used for decades to maximise heat and 
mass transfer coefficients and improve the efficiency of heat exchangers or 
reactors. They have been applied to multiphase systems with varying degree of 
success. In particular, the use gas-solid vortex chambers or gas-solid vortex 
reactors has attracted substantial as an avenue to intensify manufacturing 
processes allowing one to put in contact a gas and a solid at high concentration 
and high slip velocity, so called high-g fluidisation. Vortex flows are inherently 
unstable and therefore a very careful design of the chamber is required to retain 
any ability to control of the dispersion of particles. A solid phase introduces 
additional complexity through its effect in damping turbulence and angular 
momentum destabilising the creation of the vortex structure itself, and through 
the differential concentration profiles introduced by the centrifugal inertia. In 
this project, you will study the dispersion of powders in batch and continuous 
high-g vortex chambers, and you will look into how the structure of the vortex can 
be controlled modifying key design parameters, and in doing so manipulate the 
particle dynamics (residence time, velocity distributions, concentration and 
stress distribution). The work will inform the development of advanced optimised 
designs with potential application in a wide variety of industries, from the 
energy sector to the manufacture of consumer goods.

The project

The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, EPS, at Heriot-Watt University 
enjoys a long reputation in fluid mechanics and multiphase flow, from the Multi-
Scale Multiphase Engineering Modelling group MMEM, to recognised work in 
biomedical and healthcare sectors, energy engineering and carbon capture. The 
Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering, IMPEE, at EPS, has made a 
strategic investment into developing a multi-scale platform to tackle complex 
particle flow problems varying from reaction engineering to energy, process and 
biomedical sectors. Within this initiative, a fully funded PhD position is now 
available to work on process intensification making use of turbulent swirling 
flows and innovative designs of vortex chambers. We will investigate the design 
and prototyping of a vortex multiphase chamber, the stability and structure and 
turbulence. Designs will be optimised according to numerical simulation of the 
dispersion of a solid phase with the objective of maximising our control over 
residence time, particle concentration and the stresses sustained. The scope will 
cover developing open-source CFD models, implementation of advance wall boundary 
layers, the design of prototypes and investigation of the single phase and 
multiphase flow dynamics. The computational work will inform the construction of a 
unit used for validation at a laboratory scale. The candidate will develop a 
numerical frame and use it to design more efficient, robust technology to 
manipulate particle flows. Advanced vortex chambers hold a great potential as a 
way to maximise the efficiency of processes within the energy, environmental and 
manufacturing industries including oil & gas, carbon capture, waste management and 
particle formation processes in production of consumer goods e.g. pharmaceutics, 
foods, among many other applications.


We offer

• Fully funded scholarship (monthly stipend plus University fees).
• A challenging PhD position combining modelling, engineering and physics.
• Excellent mentorship by two experts in an expanding research group.
• Access to world computational models & high performance computing.
• A stimulating environment linking theory, simulation & experimental prototypes
• International exposure and a strong interaction with multinational companies.
• Opportunity to acquire teaching experience with a paid contribution.
• Professional and personal development within HW Research Future Academy


At the end of this PhD you will be:

• An expert engineer/physicist in turbulent multiphase flows.
• A skilled coder with proven ability to develop open-source software.
• Equipped with transferrable skills to multiple industries i.e. CFD, design.
• Used to innovation at the interface between the private sector and academia.
• Used to interact with multinationals and work in a results-orientated manner.
• Used to participate in international conferences and disseminate your work.
• A promising graduate to pursue an R&D career in industry or academic research.


Information and Application

Applications will be received in an ongoing basis until the position is filled. 
Candidates would usually expect to start in September 2021, but the position can 
be made available earlier in January 2020. Our scholarships are only open to UK or 
EU applicants who meet residency requirements set out by EPSRC. Interested 
candidates, please send the following documents through the link provided:

• BSc and MSc grades
• A CV
• A motivation letter explaining why you would be the right candidate
• If available, proof of English proficiency
• If available, 2 recommendation letters

For more information you can contact Dr. Victor Francia (v.francia@hw.ac.uk).

Your profile

An ideal candidate would have a Masters Level degree in mechanical or chemical 
engineering, applied mathematics, physics, or computer science, with an 
outstanding record. S/he would have a strong interest in CFD and turbulence. Some 
experience with Python, Linux, discrete, continuum, or multiscale simulations 
would be helpful but not required. A passion for coding is important, as you will 
be using and developing open-source software. You would be fluent in English, have 
a quality-oriented mentality and be eager to take on responsibility and immerse 
yourself in new research.