Fusion fuel cycle modelling for tritium inventory quantification

This PhD project is a collaboration between University of Surrey (UoS) and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).

Fusion, the process that powers the Sun, can play a big part in our low-carbon energy future. Developing models of the fusion fuel cycle is a long-standing problem in fusion. The main aim of a plant-scale model is to demonstrate that the fuel requirements (quantity, composition, reliability, etc.) of the reactor can be achieved with a given fuel cycle architecture and within strict restrictions, mainly from a safety point of view.

The proposed scope of this PhD project is to develop a dynamic model of a fusion fuel cycle using chemical process simulations and modelling tools that can quantify the tritium inventory throughout the tritium plant under uncertainty. The model will help to identify critical areas of the fusion fuel cycle and will focus on fusion-specific unit operations and how to effectively model them for process simulations. This work is closely linked to UKAEA’s Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) flagship project. The model will mainly use STEP’s fuel cycle architecture. The investigations will find immediate applicability in fusion safety and environmental studies and will help guide future areas of research, including developing novel unit operations and tritium transport.

The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Dimitrios Tsaoulidis (UoS), and co-supervised by Dr Eduardo Garciadiego-Ortega (industrial supervisor/UKAEA) and Dr Franjo Cecelja (UoS). The successful candidate will be based at the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering and will have the opportunity to work closely with scientists at UKAEA and academic partners at world-leading universities. They will also receive extensive research training and will be given opportunities to participate and present their work in conferences, workshops, and seminars to develop professional skills and a research network.

The post is offered to students/graduates with UK, settled, or pre-settled status for a start in October 2022.

About UK Atomic Energy Authority

UKAEA is at the forefront of nuclear fusion science and technology. The Hydroen-3 Advanced Technology (H3AT) Department specifically, manages the Active Gas Handling System (AGHS), the largest civilian tritium processing plant (tritium - one of the two main fuels needed for commercial fusion). This puts the H3AT Department at the forefront of process engineering applications in the field of fusion. The student will benefit from collaborating with the H3AT Department and its unique experience in tritium technologies R&D.

Applicants are expected to hold a first or upper-second class degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent overseas qualification), or a lower second plus a good Masters degree (distinction normally required).

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information.

English language requirements

IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.