Vibration Analysis for Turbine Fault Monitoring

The project:

Wind turbine gearboxes are key elements in producing green, clean, electricity – they are used to increase the rotational speed of a shaft that drives an electricity generator. Manufacturing defects and in-service damage in any gearbox subsystem can degrade the performance of a wind turbine or cause a safety-related issue. Moreover, the high cost of replacing a gearbox and the related downtime of the wind turbine make it crucial to identify any defect or damage early and predict its impact in the gearbox's lifetime.

This PhD project (partially funded by EDF UK) will develop new condition-based monitoring techniques that use mathematical dynamic models and vibrational data to predict gearboxes' end-of-life. The outputs of this project will maximise the safety and production of green energy from renewable sources by identifying early potential faults and extending the lifetime of healthy wind turbine gearboxes.

The objectives of this PhD project are to:

1. Develop an accurate dynamic model considering the interaction between the turbine and the gearbox and multiple damage mechanisms.
2. Develop an uncertainty quantification framework for reliable damage diagnosis including both detection and characterisation of damage.
3. Develop a prognostics framework to predict the end-of-life of a gearbox accurately under high uncertainties.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity for a placement with EDF for up to 3 months of the PhD, gaining invaluable experience in an industrial set-up.

How to apply:

Prior to submitting an online application, you will need to contact the project supervisor to discuss.

Online applications are made via the 'Apply' button. Please select Mechanical Engineering PhD on the Programme Choice page. You will be prompted to enter details of the studentship in the Funding and Research Details sections of the form.

Candidate requirements: 

Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of a merit at master’s degree level (or international equivalent) in a science, mathematics or engineering discipline. Applicants without a master's qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a first-class undergraduate degree. Please note, acceptance will also depend on evidence of readiness to pursue a research degree.

If English is not your first language, you need to meet this profile level: Profile E
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Funding:

Minimum tax-free stipend at the current UKRI rate is £19,237 for 2024/25 plus a £7k stipend top up per year (from EDF UK) and £2k for consumable spending.

Contacts:

For questions about the research topic, please contact Sergio Cantero Chinchilla, sergio.canterochinchilla@bristol.ac.uk

For questions about eligibility and the application process please contact Engineering Postgraduate Research Admissions admissions-engpgr@bristol.ac.uk

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