Division TME - Thermal & fluid engineering - Job
Grant for a PhD in engineering with subject on optimal control of turbulent swirling-jet flows using large-eddy simulations (4 years)
Promoters: J. Meyers, E. Van den Bulck
Contact: J. Meyers, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Celestijnenlaan 300A, B3001 Leuven, Belgium. T: +32(0)16 322502. F: +32(0)16 322985. E: johan.meyers(@)mech.kuleuven.be. U: http://people.mech.kuleuven.be/~jmeyers/
The department of mechanical engineering, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, has an open grant for a Ph.D. student in the field of optimal control of turbulent swirling-jet flows. Swirling jets have a large range of applicability in combustors, chemical reactors, ventilation systems, etc. These flows can exhibit a distinct set of mean-flow states (such as closed- and open-jet flow, or coanda flow), which depend on swirl-rate and the geometry of the jet nozzle. The Ph.D. research focuses on the optimization, using large-eddy simulations and adjoint-based gradient estimation, of control mechanism which trigger a switch between such flow states. This control is realized using synthetic mini-jets which direct flow separation and reattachment in the jet nozzle. The Ph.D. research allows a close interaction with a parallel experimental program, where detailed stereo-PIV measurements of the flow are performed, and where control strategies, designed using simulations, are tested in an experimental test rig.
-Master Degree in engineering, applied physics or applied mathematics
-basic knowledge in fluid mechanics and CFD
-good programming skills: knowledge of Fortran, C++
-good English redaction skills for scientific reporting
-good command of the English language in general
The phd grant is for four years. The monthly remuneration is about 1630 € after taxes, social security included.
Application deadline: July 31, 2008
Decision: approx. August 14, 2008
Starting date: October 1, 2008
The Mechanical Engineering department of the K.U.Leuven has an excellent research track in both fluid mechanics in general and large-eddy simulations. The K.U.Leuven, situated in Leuven near Brussels, is one of the oldest universities in Europe. Its rich history and patrimony provides an inspiring research environment, and this is combined with very high standard accommodation. For its computational research, the K.U.Leuven has a state-ofthe-art cluster with 856 CPUs, which is shared on average by 100 users per month. A the moment, the university is investing in a major update of this system, which will see its capacity doubled by fall 2008.
Leuven is a very agreeable city that is excellently geared to serve almost 30,000 students. The Mechanical Engineering building is situated on its perimeter in a peaceful green park near an ancient Castle. For more information, visit www.mech.kuleuven.be/dept/
