Design and Process Engineering
· Designing, construction, calculation, technology of manufacturing, technical preparation of manufacturing including assembly and testing,
· Thermal and nuclear power plant devices such as steam and combustion turbines, steam generators, steam power plants and heating plants including nuclear power stations, industrial power engineering and their environmental aspects,
· Water turbines, hydrodynamic and hydrostatic pumps, piping systems, hydroelectric power plants, and pumping stations,
· Machinary and devices for chemical industry, food-stuff industry, and biotechnological treatment lines,
· Construction, modelling and theoretical studies of machines and devices for cutting, forming machines, industrial robots, and manipulators,
· Machine parts and mechanisms, methodology of designing machine elements and working mechanisms of general application with consideration of stochastic qualities of inputs, including the application of special types of machines and devices,
· Cars, vans and lorries, buses, trailers, semi-trailers, and motorcycles,
· Combustion engines for all types of vehicle drives, simulation of combustion engine thermomechanical systems, dynamics of driving gear, engine accessories, ecology,
· Machines and devices for in-plant handling of material and handling between operations, for the mining and transport of building materials, for passenger conveyance in buildings,
· Aerodynamic calculation and designing, flight mechanics, fatigue and durability of aircraft constructions, aeroelasticity of aircraft,
· Quality of machine industry production.

prof. Ing. Václav Píštěk, DrSc.

1. (Advanced logistics models in waste management)

   The aim of this doctoral thesis is the development of mathematical models for waste management focused on logistics and planning and optimization of waste collection and transportation systems. Models will be developed based on the combination of theoretical math knowledge and industrial feedback. For such a class of problems, modern methods of solution will be used (genetic algorithm, stochastic programming, etc.) with great emphasis on proper software implementation and the use of available computational power. Developed models will serve as decision-making support tool in waste management and will take their place in real case studies. Issues to be solved: • Introduction of waste management environment and its crucial factors • Understanding of related math knowledge for modeling • Design of mathematical model with real situation requirements included • Proper software implementation.

   Tutor: Stehlík Petr, prof. Ing., CSc., dr. h. c.

2. (Computational tool for effective integration of energy producing units)

   The aim of this doctoral thesis is the development of novel mathematical models in the field of integration of different energy producing units operated in one complex system. The main attention will be paid to integration of waste-to-energy plants into existing combined heat and power systems. The results will be applicable in wide range of processes. The thesis is based on an effective application of theoretical math knowledge on practical problems defined by industry. For such a class of problems, modern methods of solution will be used e.g. multi stage stochastic programming. The level of detail and complexity of proposed solutions will be adjusted to available input data set and according to expected computation time. Developed models will serve as decision-making support tool for effective utilization of available energy sources for power and heat generation. Issues to be solved: • Introduction to the combined heat and power production • Understanding of related math knowledge and approaches for modeling • Design of mathematical model with real situation requirements included • Industrial data gathering and processing. • Case studies solved based on previous points.

   Tutor: Stehlík Petr, prof. Ing., CSc., dr. h. c.

3. Experimental research of flow and heat transfer for petro-chemistry and energy sources

   The work will be focused on the collection of highly reliable and accurate data from laboratory experiments at a large-scale combustion facility for burners up to 2 MW. The work will include error analysis, statistical data analysis and data processing, designed to support advanced combustion simulations. Attention will be directed also towards the design and construction of experimental equipment and measurement techniques, precise process control and monitoring of operating conditions in experimental combustion research. The flow in modern burners with low NOx emissions has a complex structure with a significant tangential velocity component and its experimental analysis is highly important for the validation of numerical models. It is an area of key importance for the design of gas and liquid burners, fired heaters and combustion chambers in a range of industries, mainly in petro-chemistry and power production.

   Tutor: Hájek Jiří, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Modelling of deposit formation in boilers

   Many branches of industry use a large number of boilers for steam generation firing coal, waste, fuel oils and biomass. In all these units, fouling of heat exchanging surfaces has to be tackled, as it causes decreased efficiency of heat transfer. The deposits occur in a range of types, from fine dust to very compact layers. The process of formation and deposition of the fouling particles is closely connected to operating parameters of the combustion process and to the fuel. The principles of deposit formation and its character are however not satisfactorily well known. This work thus aims to improve our understanding of the principles of deposit formation and prediction of fouling in boilers.

   Tutor: Hájek Jiří, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Rotary drum drying and calcination of granular solids - experiment and modelling

   The work will be focused on the analysis and modelling of phenomena occuring in rotary drum dryers and kilns. The work will include performing of experiments, statistical data analysis and data processing, designed to validate simulation models. Attention will be directed also towards the design and construction of experimental equipment and measurement techniques, precise process control and monitoring of operating conditions. Modelling of the processes in rotary drum dryers and kilns is closely related and thus the aim of the work will be a universal model for these units.

   Tutor: Hájek Jiří, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Simulation of heat and mass transport in porous media

   Heat and mass transport in porous media is present in a range of practical processes – from lime burning, through catalytic reactors and grate combustion, to the drying of porous materials. Modelling of these processes is therefore a practical tool for the design and analysis of a number of widely used devices. In this work, the student will develop and implement a simulation tool for the modelling of processes and equipment, where heat and mass transport in porous media plays a key role. Existing computational methods will be further developed and adapted to concrete processes and equipment.

   Tutor: Hájek Jiří, doc. Ing., Ph.D.