Over the last decade, fuel cells have started to receive increasing attention in the marine industry in order to reduce ship emissions. The Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) is considered as a promising fuel cell type for long-haul shipping, since it can operate using various types of renewable fuels, such as liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, methanol or ammonia. SOFCs convert these fuels with high efficiency, while barely emitting pollutant emissions.

The ability of SOFCs to handle transient loads is so far still limited due to the risks associated with thermal stresses and overloading of stacks. Conventional feedback control of the cooling cathode airflow generally only allows slow power modulations to avoid adverse operating conditions in the stack. Advanced control strategies, such as model predictive control, could offer benefits in terms of increasing the transient capabilities of SOFCs without compromising the lifetime or the operational efficiency.

In aim of this PhD position is to investigate novel strategies for SOFC control. This includes development and validation of control oriented dynamic SOFC stack models, as well as development and evaluation of control approaches, such as model predictive control, for load following and thermal management of the stack. The approach may be validated with high-fidelity models, laboratory experiments and/or hardware-in-the-loop simulations.

The research will be carried out in close cooperation with international academic and industrial partners from Germany, France, Norway and Malta within the large European project (HELENUS) that is working on the integration of SOFCs in ships. You will be guided at TU Delft, Dept. of Maritime & Transport Technology by experts on fuel cells, control and marine engineering, dr.ir. Lindert van Biert and prof.dr. Rudy Negenborn. 

Suitable candidates would have the following qualifications:

Required

• MSc in control engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineeering or another relevant engineering discipline.
• Communicative skills and motivation to work together with both (international) academic and industrial partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Inventive and independent attitude.

Preferred

• Experience with model predictive control, nonlinear control systems and/or hardware-in-the-loop simulations.
• Experience with modelling and simulation of fuel cells and/or electrochemical systems.
• A strong drive to work on sustainability in the marine sector.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details, please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

The Faculty of 3mE carries out pioneering research, leading to new fundamental insights and challenging applications in the field of mechanical engineering. From large-scale energy storage, medical instruments, control technology and robotics to smart materials, nanoscale structures and autonomous ships. The foundations and results of this research are reflected in outstanding, contemporary education, inspiring students and PhD candidates to become socially engaged and responsible engineers and scientists. The faculty of 3mE is a dynamic and innovative faculty with an international scope and high-tech lab facilities. Research and education focus on the design, manufacture, application and modification of products, materials, processes and mechanical devices, contributing to the development and growth of a sustainable society, as well as prosperity and welfare.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.