Thesis Work – Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Sub-Cooled Droplets Injected into a Steam Environment

Are you a student looking to apply your knowledge to real-world solutions that support the energy transition? With us, you will have the opportunity to complete your thesis project close to the business, working alongside experienced specialists and tackling challenges where your ideas and perspectives can make a real difference.
About the Thesis Work
The Fluid Dynamics Team within Energy Transfer & Environment (YRLE) at Vattenfall Research & Development is a multidisciplinary group working with fluid flow challenges across Vattenfall’s operations, from hydropower and offshore wind to nuclear energy.
Subject / Assignment
Heat transfer in multiphase flows is a complex phenomenon involving interactions between liquids, gases, and solids. A key application is spray cooling of steam in pressurized water reactors (PWRs), where droplets interact with hot steam and surrounding surfaces.
As part of the AdTherM Competence Centre and its research on multiphase flows, you will:
Perform CFD simulations in OpenFOAM using different flow, turbulence, spray, droplet, and thermodynamic models.
Evaluate simulation results against experiments conducted at Vattenfall’s laboratory in Älvkarleby.
Investigate steam condensation, spray-wall interaction, and heat transfer mechanisms.
Contribute to the validation and improvement of existing heat transfer models used in industry.
Have the opportunity to participate in experimental work, including studies using a new miniature test rig and high-speed infrared imaging of droplet behavior in hot saturated steam.
The long-term objective is to improve the accuracy of computational models for multiphase heat transfer processes relevant to the energy industry.
Goal / Purpose
The thesis aims to build understanding of state-of-the-art computational models for:
Multiphase flows
Droplet dynamics
Steam condensation
Spray-wall interactions
Heat transfer processes
You will gain hands-on experience in both advanced CFD modelling and experimental validation within a cutting-edge research environment.
We are looking for a student who are about to complete their academic studies and are eager to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting through a thesis project at Vattenfall. You are someone who shares our values and identifies with our principles: Active, Open, Positive and Safety.
Master's student in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or a related field.
Thesis scope: 30 ECTS credits (approximately 6 months).
Strong communication skills in English.

Employment type
Contract

Work arrangement
No