Unravelling Corrosion Mechanisms in Carbon Capture and Storage Systems

This fully funded PhD studentship provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in the subject area of material degradation in carbon abatement technologies (Carbon Capture and Storage).<br /> <br /> The School of Mechanical Engineering invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2026/27 for the EPSRC Faculty Doctoral Training Partnership Studentship, in collaboration with TWI.<br />

<p>The expansion of carbon capture, utilisation and storage requires safe and durable carbon dioxode transport infrastructure. However, captured carbon dioxide streams can contain anthropogenic impurities such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, which can react with water in dense or supercritical carbon dioxide and subsequently form sulphuric and nitric acids. Under certain conditions, these acids can create a condensed aqueous phase within transport systems and wellbores, posing a significant corrosion risk to carbon steels and corrosion resistant alloys. Despite its relevance, the critical impurity thresholds that trigger aqueous phase breakout and corrosion initiation remain poorly defined, limiting the ability of industry to establish safe impurity specifications.</p> <p>This PhD project will investigate the fundamental mechanisms governing acid formation, aqueous phase condensation, and corrosion onset in impurity containing supercritical carbon dioxide environments. Laboratory experiments will focus on recreating the aqueous acid phases expected to form from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide dissolution. By progressively diluting mixed nitric sulphuric acid solutions containing electrochemically monitored steel samples, the project will identify the critical concentrations and molar ratios that drive the transition from negligible to significant corrosion for both carbon steel and corrosion resistant alloys. In addition, the project will integrate electrical resistance probes into a highpressure autoclave to detect corrosion initiation in real time in non-conducting supercritical carbon dioxide. Starting with dry supercritical carbon dioxide and incrementally introducing acid, the electrical resistance system will measure the point at which dissolved acids exceed the tolerable limit and condense on the steel surface.</p> <p>Finally, a high pressure quartz crystal microbalance will be incorporated to detect nanogram scale mass changes as acid phases condense. Correlation of electrical resistance and quartz crystal microbalance data will allow the development of a mechanistic understanding of phase behaviour and corrosion onset.</p> <p>Desired outcomes include:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Determination of impurity driven corrosion thresholds for steels.</p> </li> <li> <p>Identification of conditions leading to aqueous phase breakout in supercritical carbon dioxide.</p> </li> <li> <p>Comparative corrosion performance of carbon steel and corrosion resistant alloys.</p> </li> <li> <p>A unique, validated electrical resistance and quartz crystal microbalance methodology for high pressure corrosion monitoring.</p> </li> <li> <p>Extensive data that support impurity tolerance limits for Carbon Capure and Storage transport networks.</p> </li> </ul> <div> </div>

<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's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN. </p> <p>•    For <strong>‘Appli</strong><strong>cation type’</strong> please select <strong>‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’</strong>. <br /> •    The <strong>admission year</strong> for this project is <strong>2026/27 Academic Year</strong>. <br /> •    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 DTP – Engineering</strong>’. <br /> •    The <strong>project start date</strong> for this project is<strong> 1 October 2026</strong>, please use this as your <strong>Proposed Start Date of Research</strong>. <br /> •    Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>Unravelling Corrosion Mechanisms in Carbon Capture and Storage Systems</strong> as well as <strong><a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/staff/501/professor-richard-barker">Professor Richard Barker</a> </strong>as your proposed supervisor.</p> <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, 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 Tuesday 30 June 2026. We will assess applications continuously as we receive them. We welcome and strongly encourage any potential applicants to contact the supervisor(s) for an informal discussion, prior to applying, and recommend submitting your application early.</p> <p>The final list of awards are based on academic merit and no other factors such as financial hardship are taken into account. Applicants will be e-mailed within 6 weeks of the deadline to confirm the outcome.</p> <p><strong>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Tuesday 30 June 2026 or at the point you submit your application:</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>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate 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 Faculty Doctoral Training Partnership Award, in collaboration with TWI, providing full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate of £21,805 for 3.5 years.  Training and support will also be provided.</p> <p>This opportunity is open to UK applicants only.  All candidates will be placed into the EPSRC Faculty Doctoral Training Partnership Award Competition and selection is based on academic merit.</p> <p>Please note that there is 1 funded place available.  If you are successful in securing an academic offer for PhD study, this does not mean that you have been successful in securing an offer of funding.</p> <p>Eligibility Criteria</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 visit the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ukcisa.org.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7CJ.S.Hewer%40leeds.ac.uk%7C07632c93c06a442dca3d08ddfc172939%7Cbdeaeda8c81d45ce863e5232a535b7cb%7C0%7C0%7C638943898649349324%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=nylGSov8jOc7hr6X%2FmfnfQPecbVUnGqgoSqVgPGy5K0%3D&reserved=0">UKCISA</a> website or our <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-fees/doc/fee-assessment">fee assessment page</a> regarding fee status for Non-UK nationals.</p> <p>Other Conditions</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, or soon after that. </li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul>

<p>If you are interested in this project or have any questions, please do contact the project supervisor, Professor Richard Barker by emailing <a href="mailto:R.J.Barker@leeds.ac.uk">R.J.Barker@leeds.ac.uk</a>.</p> <p>For further information about your application, including how to apply, please contact PGR Admissions by emailing <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a>.</p>