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 forecasting models for waste management

   The aim of this doctoral thesis is the development of forecasting approaches and tools for estimation of waste production and composition by application of mathematical programming techniques. The outcomes provided by proposed models in the form of various datasets are needed as key elements of location and allocation logistic problems in waste management. The work highlights an application of mathematics for practically-oriented problems solving. Formulated models will be suitable for various levels of details of studied geographical area (from the regions to parts of cities and streets). Issues to be solved: • Introduction to waste management with special focus on waste quantities and composition of municipal waste • Study of related mathematical methods and approaches • Methodology development towards forecasting of quantities and composition for selected waste streams. An interaction between streams will be considered. • Models implementation into suitable software environment. • Case studies solved based on previous points.

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

2. Computational tool for the technical and economic evaluation of selected separation processes

   The thesis is focused on selected separation technologies and their mathematical modeling. More specifically, it deals with methods for the waste water treatment from industrial processes with an emphasis on technologies meeting current requirements for energy efficiency and environmental protection. These include, e.g. waste heat recovery from industrial processes (evaporation stations, driers, extractors), membrane and electrochemical separation technologies with low power consumption (micro-, ultra- and nano-filtration, reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, electrodeionization) or other processes (e.g. stripping). The selection of the proper separation technology for particular industrial process assumes expertize in separation methods (physical principle, mass and energy flows, product properties) and related economics (investment and operating costs). A computational tool for design and technical-economic evaluation of the separation technologies in industrial plants will be the output of the thesis. The tool will be developed using one of the progressive programming languages. An example of such language is Python with simple syntax and free access to extensive libraries with user-defined procedures and functions. The basis for the computational tool will not be only the R&D publications and theoretical considerations, but also experimental activities in laboratories and industrial facilities. The following tasks will be addressed: - initial research: theory of selected separation methods including published experimental results or operational data, available libraries for the chosen programming language - development of a calculation tool concept - data acquisition from experimental measurements in laboratories and industrial facilities - modelling of selected separation technologies - development of the tool for technical and economic evaluation of separation technologies - application of the computational tool in an industrial case study

   Tutor: Máša Vítězslav, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Extending and developing advanced tools for smart maintenance for risk management to reduce material/energy resources and footprint improvement

   The research is targeted to SPIL project Research Activity 10: Extending and developing advanced procedures and tools by developing and extending the tools for the optimisation of equipment maintenance actions and schedule for minimising the risk and cost arising from plant management. This includes operating and investment costs, as well as minimisation of the probability of failures, accidents, breakdowns, stoppages which may lead to potential disasters, and also, contribute to personnel occupational illnesses. These activities will study and extend the use of Process Integration methodology, process simulators, mathematical modelling and other advanced computational tools for achieving project goals.

   Tutor: Varbanov Petar Sabev, prof. Ing. Dr. habil., Ph.D.

4. Macroscopic structure of solid fuel during combustion

   The purpose of the thesis is to involve the student in the development of in-house simulation models, within the framework of a starting grant project. The production of energy from biomass, fossil fuels and waste often uses traditional and proven grid combustion technology. Increasing pressure to reduce emissions also forces manufacturers to look for new technical solutions to increase their competitiveness. The key to innovation and increased prestige of manufacturers are computational simulations, however, models for this technology are still developing. The doctoral student will work on the following tasks: • Creating a CFD model using ANSYS software • Model of macroscopic fuel structure • Description of macroscopic fuel structure development on moving grate • Description of the interaction of the macroscopic structure with the combustion process Interesting salary, support of an experienced team with a friendly atmosphere and cooperation with industrial partners are prepared for the applicants. The candidates should have experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD), be motivated to work in research, and be able to quickly orient themselves in new issues (good prior learning outcomes).

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

5. Modernization and optimization of energy-intensive industrial processes

   The thesis is focused on using up-to-date technologies, design, software or methodologies to significantly improve the sustainability of energy-intensive process systems. Such modern technologies may include elements of advanced laboratory experiments, process intensification and integration, artificial intelligence, molecular design, industrial internet of things (IIoT) etc. From the previous master ‘s degree research, general optimization and debottlenecking analyses were developed to guide manufacturing/industrial engineers to achieve a more sustainable processing plant. However, it was found that modernizing specific units can significantly improve the process plant. In laboratory of energy-intensive processes (LENP) NETME Centre at the BUT, a similar finding was also obtained, where Vondra et al. (2018) have shown that the size of the equipment, capital and operating costs can be significantly reduced by using a modern design of separation systems. Hence, extended works will be done on developing new efficient and sustainable technologies, while retrofitting such technologies within current processing plants using an optimized approach. The research mainly focuses on the design, optimization and retrofitting industrial processes, specifically petroleum refineries. Hence, modernized and sustainable technology can be developed during the PhD research period to improve current industrial plants. To validate the research results and proving that technology improvement can develop global sustainability, a global industrial collaboration project of strategic importance is caried out. This project utilizes advanced scientific theories for technology development, and then validates it with real industrial projects. The basis of the theories will be supported by advanced process simulation techniques with the experiences of Touš et al. (2009). This approach is proven to give actual impactful results by Máša et al. (2018) throughout years of engineering project experience and development (Stehlík, 2016). The following tasks will be addressed: • Initial research: study on the current progress in the oil and gas industry • Data acquisition from experimental measurements in laboratories and industrial facilities • Initial plant optimization and debottlenecking study • Development of a modern and novel equipment, software tools or engineering method for retrofitting • Post retrofitting and improvement analysis References: MÁŠA, V., STEHLÍK, P., TOUŠ, M., VONDRA, M. (2018). Key pillars of successful energy saving projects in small and medium industrial enterprises. Energy, no. 158, 293-304. ISSN: 0360-5442. STEHLÍK, P. (2016). Up-to-Date Waste-to-Energy Approach, From Idea to Industrial Application. 1. 1. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 115. ISBN: 978-3-319-15466- 4. TOUŠ, M., HOUDKOVÁ, L., BÉBAR, L., PAVLAS, M., STEHLÍK, P. (2009). Waste-to-Energy (W2E) software -a support tool for decision making process. Chemical Engineering Transactions. 18. 971-976. 10.3303/CET0918159. VONDRA, M., MÁŠA, V., BOBÁK, P. (2018). The energy performance of vacuum evaporators for liquid digestate treatment in biogas plants. Energy, 146, 141-155.

   Tutor: Máša Vítězslav, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Propagation of reaction fronts in solid fuel combustion

   The purpose of the thesis is to involve the student in the development of in-house simulation models, within the framework of a starting grant project. The production of energy from biomass, fossil fuels and waste often uses traditional and proven grid combustion technology. Increasing pressure to reduce emissions also forces manufacturers to look for new technical solutions to increase their competitiveness. The key to innovation and increased prestige of manufacturers are computational simulations, however, models for this technology are still developing. The doctoral student will work on the following tasks: • Creating a CFD model using ANSYS software • Model of macroscopic fuel structure • Description of macroscopic fuel structure development on moving grate • Description of the interaction of the macroscopic structure with the combustion process Interesting salary, support of an experienced team with a friendly atmosphere and cooperation with industrial partners are prepared for the applicants. The candidates should have experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD), be motivated to work in research, and be able to quickly orient themselves in new issues (good prior learning outcomes).

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

7. Simulation of photobioreactors

   The purpose of the thesis is to involve the student in the development of in-house simulation models, within the framework of a starting grant project. Controlled cultivation of micro-algae for the innovative production of high value-added products is a new trend in developing biotechnologies. Optimizing the environment of these microorganisms requires, among other things, the ability to predict their growth depending on the environmental characteristics, which include a number of parameters such as availability of nutrients or lighting conditions. However, models for such applications need to be developed. The doctoral student will work on the following tasks: • Creating a CFD model using ANSYS tools • Description of the micro-algae population growth • Description of the interaction between micro-algae and light Interesting salary, support of an experienced team with a friendly atmosphere and cooperation with industrial partners are all prepared for the applicants. The candidates should have experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD), be motivated to work in research, and be able to quickly orient themselves in new issues (good prior learning outcomes).

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