EPSRC DLA (Industrial Competition): Hydrogen Released from Nuclear Waste and its Consequence of Small Scale Explosion

About the Project

This PhD project tackles a major safety issue in nuclear decommissioning: hydrogen explosions. When nuclear waste breaks down, it produces hydrogen gas. In enclosed spaces like storage silos, this hydrogen can mix with air and become flammable. Current safety guidelines rely on simplified assumptions, but real-world conditions are more complex—hydrogen often forms uneven layers, changing how explosions start and spread.

This research will use specialized experiments (a controlled explosion chamber fitted with high speed imaging and laser diagnostics) to study how hydrogen-air mixtures ignite and burn under realistic, layered conditions. The goal is to build a reliable predictive model that can assess explosion risks in large, confined spaces found at nuclear sites like Sellafield.

Ultimately, the results will help improve safety measures, reduce costs, and support the UK’s ongoing effort to decommission its nuclear legacy sites safely and efficiently. The project sits at the exciting intersection of hands-on experimental work and cutting-edge optical tool.

Funding Notes

A highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award (Industrial Competition) Studentship, in collaboration with Sellafield Ltd, offering the award of fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant of £21,805 and an additional top-up of £4,000 per year for 3.5 years. Training and support will also be provided. This opportunity is open to UK applicants only. All candidates will be placed into the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award (Industrial Competition) Studentship Competition and selection is based on academic merit.