The DLR Institute of Low-Carbon Industrial Processes is working on various approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in industry. The focus here is on the decarbonisation of process heat using high-temperature heat pumps, the energy optimisation of the operation of individual plants through to entire industrial parks and the reduction of process-related emissions using alternative chemical processes.
What to expect
The High Temperature Heat Pumps department develops and researches heat pumps with very high sink temperatures above 150 °C as an approach to reducing CO₂ emissions caused by process heat generation using fossil fuels (mainly natural gas). As part of ongoing research at the Institute of Low Carbon Industrial Processes, the integration of two-phase water ejectors into high-temperature heat pump systems is being investigated. The aim is to deepen the understanding of the complex flow and phase change phenomena in ejectors and to explore their potential to increase the efficiency of thermal energy systems.
Your tasks
- the goal of the thesis is to compare experimental data of a two-phase water ejector with numerical simulations (CFD in ANSYS Fluent and a 1D model in Python)
- execution and evaluation of experimental measurements at the ejector test stand, including data preparation for further analysis
- comparison of experimental results with existing CFD simulations conducted in ANSYS Fluent
- development and refinement of a simplified 1D model in Python to describe the physical processes in the ejector
- analysis of deviations between experiment, CFD, and 1D model; iterative improvement and validation of the models
- conducting literature reviews and thorough documentation and interpretation of results
- writing the thesis in either German or English and presenting the findings as part of an internal research seminar
Your profile
- ongoing studies in Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Energy Technology, or a related engineering discipline
- initial experience with numerical flow simulations, preferably with ANSYS Fluent or similar CFD tools as well as knowledge of or interest in 1D modeling and Python programming
- basic understanding of thermodynamics, ideally with a focus on two-phase flows and/or heat pump applications
- a self-organized and structured working style, including the ability to plan and conduct experimental and simulation-based tasks
- interest in scientific research and motivation to develop new solutions and critically evaluate results and Solid communication skills in English or German (ideally both), both written and spoken
We look forward to getting to know you!
If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 1838) please contact:
Panagiotis Stathopoulos
Tel.: +49 355 355645 30
