In the framework of the study with title “Carnot Battery for Deployable Operating Bases” (BCARN), we are looking for a full-time researcher in thermodynamics with a degree in Applied Sciences / Engineering / Physics, preferably in the field of thermodynamics or energy systems. Candidates looking for a doctoral position are encouraged to apply as well.
The Royal Military Academy of Belgium (RMA) is a military institution responsible for the basic academic, military and physical training of future officers and for the continuing advanced training of officers during their active career in the Belgian Defense department. It is fully recognized as a university, fulfilling the same criteria as civilian universities. The Royal Military Academy is also conducting scientific research at university level for projects funded by the Belgian Defense department or external sources.
You work within the department of Physics of the Faculty of Polytechnics of the Royal Military Academy and in close collaboration with the department of Mechanics. You conduct scientific research at university level on a project entitled “Carnot Battery for Deployable Operating Bases” (BCARN).
You work within a research team and in close collaboration with partners at other Belgian universities.
The objective of the BCARN study is to design a so-called “Carnot battery” for use on deployed operating bases (DOBs) by the Belgian Defense. The idea is to store electricity generated by renewable sources in a thermal storage tank, optionally augmented using waste heat from e.g. classic power generators. Keeping these objectives in mind, the phases of the work are:
Background knowledge: In this phase, the researcher will acquire the state of the art knowledge of existing pumped thermal energy storage systems (PTES). This phase does not just consist of passive information gathering, but also entails the development of simulation tools for the thermodynamic cycles.
Military PTES design and optimization: the requirements and constraints for a deployable PTES will be investigated. This phase entails communication with expert users, the innovation managers of the components and personnel from the FAU. Once the requirements are determined, the tools and knowledge developed in point 1 can be applied to obtain an optimized design for a cycle.
Waste heat flux analysis: For thermally integrated pumped thermal energy storage systems, waste heat can be reused to improve the efficiency of the storage solution. This requires a detailed analysis of the possible waste heat fluxes in an operational setting, and innovative ideas on how to reuse these. Cataloging these heat fluxes and determining how and if they can be reused is the topic of the third phase.
The final phase consists of deriving an optimized design that takes into account waste heat recovery. This final design should already contain much of the detail needed to build a prototype in the follow-on study, so it should take into account constraints like availability of components.
The project team consists of two promoters, where LtCol Vergote (Physics department) is the main organizer and has taken the initiative for this project. LtCol Janssens (Mechanics department) will advise in technical thermodynamics and Julia programming aspects. Finally the research itself will be carried out by the researcher we are hiring specifically for this project.
The technologies and methods used are general scientific research, supported by modern simulation methods for the calculations. No experimental facilities at the RMA are planned, but we can make use of experimental data from UGent and ULiège for validation purposes.
The final deliverable of this project is to have all the necessary tools and knowledge available to move to the prototyping phase in the follow-on study.
Perform research activities in the frame of the study project, mainly focused on the development and validation of the thermodynamic cycle simulation and the design of a system suitable for military deployment. We aim to develop a framework in the Julia programming language, for maximum integration in other research at the RMA.
Report the progress results to the promoter and research team in English.
Report the obtained results at international conferences and write scientific papers in English.
Concerning the research project: to Maarten Vergote (maarten.vergote@mil.be)
Concerning the recruitment modalities: Mrs Helena Bruyninckx (erm-deao-rswo@mil.be)
https://www.rma.ac.be/nl/research-engineerscientist-in-thermodynamics
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