Scholarship applications at the University of Glasgow are currently open

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The University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. It was founded in 1451. It is currently a member of Universitas 21, the international network of research universities and the Russell Group. Alumni or former staff of the University include a founding father of the United States, philosopher Francis Hutcheson, engineer James Watt, philosopher and economist Adam Smith, physicist Lord Kelvin, surgeon Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister, and seven Nobel laureates, etc. The University of Glasgow ranks 63rd in the QS World University Rankings 2018.

Scholarship applications at the University of Glasgow are currently open, with deadline 31 January 2018.  The successful applicant is expected to work in the James Watt South Building that was opened by Lord Kelvin in 1901.

The research topic is about A feasibility study on integrating electric buses with biomass waste gasification for a greener public transport system.

The current public transport buses are mainly powered by diesel in Glasgow. These buses generally use diesel based internal combustion engine (ICE) and, are noisy and a major contributor to urban air pollutants such as hydrocarbons, NOx and particulate matters (PM). Additionally, the diesel consumption by buses leads to a high greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint for the public transport system. Fuel cell electric buses are excellent alternatives with the advantages of being less noisy and air polluting. However, the carbon footprint of fuel cell electric buses is largely dependent on the sources of hydrogen and will be carbon friendly if the hydrogen production process has a lower carbon footprint.

This project is a feasibility study on a hybrid system that combines fuel cell electric bus systems with decentralized biomass waste gasification-derived hydrogen generation systems in Glasgow. The hydrogen is derived from the shift reaction of syngas from the gasification of biomass waste which is overall carbon negative. Hence, deploying electric buses with the support from gasification stations will serve to improve the urban air quality of Glasgow and reduce the carbon footprint of Glasgow’s public transport system. We will map the economic feasibility, and carbon and PM emission saving potential of the hybrid system using Monte Carlo simulation-based cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and life cycle assessment (LCA). Optimum system configurations (e.g., scale, operating conditions of gasification, and selection of hydrogen storage techniques) will be decided. We will also compare the proposed system with the existing diesel-based system regarding economics and environmental sustainability. The economic and environmental impacts of the hybrid system on the overall public transport system and waste management system of Glasgow will be evaluated. Finally, relevant policy and subsidy incentives will be suggested based on the feasibility boundary conditions of the analysis.

If you are interested in the project, please email Siming.You@glasgow.ac.uk with your CV for discussing the potential.
The details regarding the scholarship (either school support of CSC support) applications are also available at https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/engineering/phdopportunities/.