Research Studentship in Nickel-base Superalloys in Oil Drilling Applications

Research Studentship in Nickel-base Superalloys in Oil Drilling Applications

Research Studentship in Nickel-base Superalloys in Oil Drilling Applications

 

3-year D.Phil studentship, available from Jan 2016 (subject to eligibility requirements below)

Research Area

Nickel-base superalloys form an important family of materials that due to the unique combination of properties find extensive use in aerospace applications. These alloys are also used in oil and gas exploration and production in the manufacture of drill string components that experience fatigue, abrasion and environmental attack in operation. The focus of the study concerns reliable prediction of safe life of nickel-base superalloy drilling components based on microstructure analysis under the conditions of fatigue, wear and corrosion.

The studentship is part of a funded project “Experimental characterisation and numerical modelling of fatigue crack initiation in IN718 drilling system components” jointly undertaken by the University of Oxford (Alexander M. Korsunsky’s group) and Weatherford International. The student will be expected to undertake visits and short placements with project partners in Tewkesbury, UK.

Aerospace nickel-base superalloy IN718 has been adopted as the material of choice for drill string assembly components, and is now being widely used in the field. To a significant degree this choice was motivated by the possibility of recourse to the large body of knowledge and data on this alloy that had been accumulated in the aerospace and power generation industry practice. A significant pool of expertise in the area of fatigue analysis and predictive modelling for aerospace nickel-base superalloys is available within the Multi-Beam Laboratory for Engineering Microscopy and Modelling (MBLEMM), that has been established in the Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford and is led by Prof. Alexander M. Korsunsky (www.korsunsky.org).

The student will perform a systematic study of fatigue crack initiation in IN718 alloy components under conditions representative of those encountered during reservoir drilling. The project will involve carrying out thermo-mechanical tests, extracting miniature samples for microscopic examination, and characterising these samples using a variety of advanced imaging tools.

The student will combine experimental characterisation activities with numerical modelling and the development of predictive design tools using Finite Elements and other simulation approaches.

Award Value

The studentship covers University fees at the level set for UK/EU students plus a stipend (tax-free maintenance grant) of £14,200 p.a. for the first year, and at least this amount for a further two years. The studentship does not cover the payment of college fees (c £2765 p.a.).

Eligibility

This studentship is available to all applicants but the University fees are covered only at the UK/EU rate.  Therefore overseas students would have to provide the difference between the UK/EU and the overseas student rates for University fees from some other source, such as a scholarship or personal funds.

 

Candidate Requirements

Prospective candidates will be judged according to how well they meet the following criteria:

  • A first class honours degree in Engineering, Materials Science or related subject
  • Evidence of experience in research related to structural integrity, pipeline durability design, joining and fabrication
  • Excellent English written and spoken communication skills

The following skills are desirable but not essential:

  • Experience in electron microscopy and XRD analyses
  • Experience in Finite Element Analysis
  • Experience in writing technical and scientific reports

Application Procedure

To apply for this studentship, candidates should send the following documents to studentship@eng.ox.ac.uk:

  • CV
  • Covering letter (explaining your suitability for the study, what you hope to achieve from the DPhil and your research experience to date)
  • Contact details for two academic or professional referees

 

NOTE: Candidates are expected to meet the graduate admissions criteria available at http://www.eng.ox.ac.uk/study-here/postgraduate/admissions-criteria

and a full graduate application must be made at the same time as applying for this studentship.  Your studentship application will not be considered until you have submitted a graduate application. Further details about making a graduate application are available at www.eng.ox.ac.uk/study-here/postgraduate/how-to-apply

Please quote this code: AMK-WFT in all correspondence to the Department and in your graduate application.

Informal enquiries regarding the project may be addressed to Prof. Alexander M. Korsunsky [alexander.korsunsky@eng.ox.ac.uk]. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

Application deadline:  20 Nov 2015