Hydrogen Released from Nuclear Waste and its Consequence of Small Scale Explosion

The decommissioning of the UK's nuclear legacy sites presents a significant safety challenge: managing hydrogen gas. Generated from nuclear waste, hydrogen can accumulate in silos and storage vessels, forming flammable mixtures with air. If ignited, these can lead to destructive explosions through deflagration and potentially a devastating deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT). Current safety models often rely on conservative assumptions for uniform mixtures, which may not reflect the complex, stratified gas layers found in real-world scenarios.<br /> <br /> This PhD project will address this urgent challenge by developing a fundamental understanding of how hydrogen-air mixtures ignite and explode in conditions directly relevant to the nuclear estate. You will use a state-of-the-art experimental approach, employing a spherical combustion vessel and advanced optical diagnostics (Schlieren, PIV) to study flame acceleration, instability, and quenching in stratified mixtures. This unique experimental data will be used to develop and validate a high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model.<br /> <br /> The validated model will be a powerful tool to simulate large-scale explosion scenarios in confined spaces, providing crucial insights for safety cases. This project offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface of cutting-edge experimental combustion and computational modelling, directly impacting the safe and cost-effective decommissioning of sites like Sellafield, Dounreay, and Magnox. You will develop highly sought-after skills in advanced diagnostics, CFD, and nuclear safety, supported by close collaboration with our industrial partner, Sellafield Ltd.<br />

<p><strong>CDT information</strong></p> <p>This project is part of the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in SATURN (Skills And Training Underpinning a Renaissance in Nuclear). It is led from the University of Manchester and includes leading nuclear research universities in the North of England and Scottland (University of Leeds, University of Sheffield, Lancaster University, University of Liverpool, University of Strathclyde). We aim to deliver the next generation of nuclear researchers to help the UK achieve its Net Zero targets and beyond, in a collegial cohort environment. The CDT will also include technical training in the nuclear fuel cycle to ensure all candidates are familiar with the nuclear sector, and specialist research skills training.</p> <p><a href="http://www.saturn-nuclear-cdt.manchester.ac.uk/">SATURN_Nuclear_CDT</a></p>

<p>To apply for this project you will need to make a formal application for research degree study through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN.</p> <ul> <li>For <strong>Application type</strong> please select <strong>Research Degrees, Research Postgraduate</strong>.</li> <li>The admission year for this project is <strong>2026/27 Academic Year</strong>.</li> <li>You will need to select your <strong>Planned Course of Study</strong> from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select <strong>EPSRC CDT SATURN – Nuclear Science and Engineering</strong>.</li> <li>The project start date for this project is <strong>1 October 2026</strong>, please use this as your <strong>Proposed Start Date of Research</strong>.</li> <li>Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is<strong> Hydrogen Released from Nuclear Waste and its Consequence of Small Scale Explosion </strong>as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/staff/1325/dr-junfeng-yang">Dr Junfeng Yang</a> as your proposed supervisor.</li> <li>Please state clearly that the funding you are applying for is <strong>EPSRC CDT SATURN</strong>.</li> </ul> <p>More information on how to apply is available on our website <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">here</a>. You will be required to provide a personal statement which outlines your interest in the project you are applying for, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project.</p> <p>Applications will be reviewed and assessed after the closing date of Thursday 30 April 2026.  We welcome and strongly encourage any potential applicants to contact the supervisor(s) or the CDT SATURN Programme Team for an informal discussion, prior to applying, and recommend submitting your application early.</p> <p><strong>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Thursday 30 April 2026:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date including grading scheme</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a Masters' Degree or equivalent from a reputable university in an appropriate field of Engineering. Exceptional candidates with a First Class Bachelor Degree in an appropriate field will also be considered. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:24px">A highly competitive EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Skills And Training Underpinning a Renaissance in Nuclear (SATURN) studentship in partnership with Sellafield Ltd, offering the award of full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant of £21,805 per year for 4 years.  Training and support will also be provided.<br /> <br /> This opportunity is open to UK applicants only. All candidates will be placed into the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in SATURN Studentship Competition and selection is based on academic merit.<br /> <br /> Please refer to the <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p> <p><strong>Eligibility Criteria</strong></p> <ul> <li>Applicants must be eligible to pay fees at the Home (UK) rate.</li> </ul> <p>If you are unsure whether you are eligible for UK fees/funding, please see our <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-fees/doc/fee-assessment">fee assessment page</a>.</p> <p><strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> <ul> <li>Candidates who have previously been awarded a PhD or are currently registered on a PhD are excluded from applying. Those who were previously studying for a PhD but did not complete may be considered. </li> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1st October 2026.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul>

<p>For further information about this project, please contact Dr Junfeng Yang by email to <a href="mailto:J.Yang@leeds.ac.uk">J.Yang@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about your application, please contact Doctoral College Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about the CDT SATURN programme, please contact the CDT SATURN Programme Team by email to <a href="mailto:saturn@manchester.ac.uk">saturn@manchester.ac.uk</a> or Dr Timothy Hunter (Programme Director) by email to <a href="mailto:t.n.hunter@leeds.ac.uk">t.n.hunter@leeds.ac.uk</a>. Please include the specific title of the project and list University of Leeds as the project university.</p>