Fuels that can be produced directly from solar energy such as hydrogen and ammonia will play a crucial role in decarbonising our energy systems, especially in transportation and heavy industry. However, they differ enormously from conventional fuels in terms of combustion properties and pollutant emissions. Hydrogen is highly diffusive and reactive, and has a very high flame temperature. Ammonia on the other hand is only weakly reactive with a low flame temperature and with poor combustion properties. Engines and industrial burners using either fuel are challenged by high emissions of nitrogen oxides, while ammonia-fired devices are also challenged by ammonia emissions.
Our group applies very large-scale computing and machine learning to help understand the turbulent reacting flows that underpin combustion-based energy systems, mainly reciprocating engines, gas turbines, and industrial burners. Currently, we have open positions in the following areas:
- Large-scale computations to better understand combustion of renewable hydrogen and/or ammonia fuels in compression ignition engines and gas turbines
- Development, using machine learning and other approaches, of practical models of renewable fuel combustion
The available projects involving partnerships with industry including GE (gas turbines) and MAN (compression ignition engines).
Other projects according to the student's interest in computational modelling applied to clean combustion may be also considered.
How to Apply
Express your interest in this project by emailing Professor Evatt Hawkes at evatt.hawkes@unsw.edu.au. Include a copy of your CV and your academic transcript(s).
School / Research Area
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
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