Laser diagnostics for automotive fuel sprays

• Based in the Centre for Automotive Engineering.
• Supervisors: Dr Cyrii Crua and Dr Guilaume de Sercey
• Closing date for the first tranche of applications is 26 May 2013. Apply now.

Applications are invited for a three year PhD studentship at the Centre for Automotive Engineering at the University of Brighton. The studentship is part of a £1.3m EPSRC research project that will study the deformation of microscopic fuel droplets, and how such deformations affect the way droplets break up, heat up and evaporate. 

The successful candidate will apply state-of-the-art laser imaging techniques, including high-resolution microscopic imaging, to investigate the atomisation of diesel and biodiesel fuels. 

Understanding the mechanisms that lead to the atomisation and evaporation of liquid fuels is a key step towards the design of efficient and clean combustion systems. The vast majority of fuel spray research is based on the premise that droplets are perfectly spherical, even though such sprays can contain a large proportion of filamentary structures and deformed droplets. The spherical droplet approximation is convenient, both in experimental and theoretical studies, but it is overly simplistic for many practical applications. The lack of information about non-spherical fuel parcels inhibits the development and validation of accurate engine simulation tools. This is particularly the case for biofuels which, through their higher viscosity, produce more deformed droplets. This major research programme aims to remove the experimental and numerical biases towards sphericity. 

We require a highly motivated and able researcher, with enthusiasm to undertake leading edge experimental research in automotive engineering. The successful candidate will be based within the Sir Harry Ricardo Laboratories and will use state-of-the-art facilities, including optical research engines, ultra-high-speed video and laser diagnostics. The researcher will be a key team member of the project, which will be conducted in close collaboration with City University London and BP, and with regular exchanges with academic experts from France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), the University of Bergamo, and Moscow State University. 

The successful candidate will join an experienced consortium, and present findings at project review meetings, as well as at national and international conferences. The PhD studentship will provide an outstanding training in laser diagnostics and advanced image processing techniques, with potential applications for numerous spray systems. 

Informal enquiries about this opportunity are encouraged, and should be sent to Dr Crua at c.crua@brighton.ac.uk. Please note, interviews are due to be held 10–12 June 2013.

References
EPSRC project details: www.brighton.ac.uk/shrl/projects/non-spherical-droplets
Sir Harry Ricardo Laboratories: www.brighton.ac.uk/shrl

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