Corrosion of Turbocharger Materials
School of Materials Corrosion and Protection Centre
Professor Stuart Lyon
Application deadline: September 2008
Project to start: October 2008
The project
During operation turbochargers are subject to a duty cycle that comprises a rapid heat-up to operating temperature, some time spent at operating temperatures (up to about 1000K) then cool-down back to the ambient temperature. In the quiescent (i.e. engine-off) condition, the local gas atmosphere will comprise the residuals from fuel combustion. These species are likely to include: H2O, CO2, SO2, NOx, etc. and may be corrosive, especially during the evaporation/ condensation cycle experienced as a consequence of on-off operation.
Working closely with the project sponsor, Honeywell, this research proposes to: (a) develop a computational model of the gas ambient environment and its interaction with turbocharger materials of construction, (b) develop corrosion sensor technology to enable kinetic parameters (i.e. rates of corrosion) to be determined experimentally as a function of condensate composition. This is a challenging project that will form the basis of a corrosion rate model for turbocharger materials as a function of typical engine duty cycles.
The studentship
This studentship offers home tuition fees plus an enhanced stipend of £15k by industrial sponsors Honeywell. Applicants from outside the EU/UK must be able to meet the difference in the home and international fee.
Minimum 2.1 or MSc: (Chemical Engineering/Materials Science/Materials Chemistry background preferable but not essential as training will be given on all techniques used).
Further information and application
For further information about the project please contact Stuart Lyon (Email: Stuart.lyon@manchester.ac.uk or tel: +44 (0) 161 306 3601 or visit the School website
General admissions enquiries should be directed to the Postgraduate Team in the School of Materials (Email: pg-materials@manchester.ac.uk or tel: +44 (0)161 306 4824)
To apply please complete an online application form quoting the project reference number PhD/08/SL/01
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