Postdoc Ammonia-fuelled SOFC-ICE Power, Propulsion and Energy System - Ship integration

Job description 

 Decarbonizing shipping? Ammonia is considered by many as an effective hydrogen carrier and sustainable e-fuel for sea-going vessels and other heavy-duty applications, mainly because of its promise of being a cost-effective, carbon-free and relatively energy-dense fuel. However, choosing ammonia as a sustainable shipping fuel does not yet solve the question of how the energy stored in ammonia can be converted into useful (mechanical or electric) power on board of ships. AmmoniaDrive offers a unique solution to this question: a single-fuel, high-efficiency, zero-emission SOFC-ICE power plant that will fit on board of ships without sacrificing range and speed.

In this postdoc project, part of the larger AmmoniaDrive project, you will investigate the performance of the NH3-fueled SOFC-ICE power, propulsion and energy system, when it is applied on board of a ship capable of transporting ammonia (a benchmark vessel, with an ideal size and operational profile for the project, is available). Ammonia carriers are expected to be vital for a florishing global hydrogen economy and as such are very good candidates to become early-adoptors of the AmmoniaDrive concept. You will investigate ship design and integration aspects, part-load operation (e.g. in port), off-design and transient loading performance, power and energy management strategies and compliance with safety regulations, to name a few of the unsolved challenges. As part of the AmmoniaDrive team you will have access to the latest insights, developments and modelling techniques as established by the nine PhD researchers within the research project as well as to the enthusiastic AmmoniaDrive partners (10+ maritime companies).

Topics in scope of this position include:

• Gather insights into AmmoniaDrive Power Plant fundamentals, working principles and operational limitations.
• Gather relevant design and engineering information from AmmoniaDrive partners (e.g. Anthony Veder, Bureau Veritas, C-Job Naval Architects) for a specific case study vessel (e.g. ammonia / chemical tanker).
• Investigate new modelling approaches and sub-model improvements to enable time-domain simulations of ship voyages and port operations together with MARIN's Zero Emission Laboratory to assess performance, emissions, transient loading capability and to test power&energy management strategies.
• Disseminate your findings to the scientific community and industrial partners.

More information on the AmmoniaDrive project:

• http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:dd34837a-65d4-497c-b989-8330887d7d89
• https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12718699/
• https://ammoniadrive.net 

Job requirements 

Candidates for this challenging project have a PhD degree and background in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering or similar. Good communication and writing skills in English and the ability to collaborate are necessary as well.

Being a postdoctoral researcher at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well with colleagues and project partners.

Need-to-have:

• A PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering or similar.
• Good communication skills in English.
• Experience with Matlab, Simulink, GT-Power or similar relevant engineering software packages. 

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) 

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference. 

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future. 

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward. 

Faculty Mechanical Engineering 

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems. 

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation. 

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