Internship | Development of a Computational Fluid Dynamics model of a Rotating Detonation Engine

About this position

Rotating detonation engines (RDEs) are a novel type of aerospace engine that uses detonation to burn fuel. This makes RDEs up to 15% more efficient than most conventional engines, which use deflagration to burn fuel. RDEs have started to gain increasing attention from the research community in the last 15 years. While geometrically simple, the flow physics of the detonation process are extremely complex. As a result, there is still much unknown about the behaviour and performance of RDEs. TNO has been working on RDEs since , extensively testing a modular hydrogen-air RDE. There is a desire to augment this experimental effort with numerical modelling of the RDE, in order to better understand its behaviour and performance.

What will be your role?

You will be designing and developing a CFD model of a generic Rotating Detonation Engines. This will improve our understanding of this exiting new propulsion technology, and help to open up new areas of RDE research at TNO. You will become familiar with various CFD-related tools and methods, and learn how to apply them to a complex fluid flow.

You will perform this assignment in TNO’s Energetic Materials department. In the department you will work together with a team of aeropropulsion experts with both experimental and numerical backgrounds, and in doing so gain a detailed understanding of Rotating Detonation Engines and aeropropulsion development more generally.

What we expect from you

• You are in the final stages of a Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering or a related field.
• You have an interest in aerospace propulsion, and have experience modelling such systems.
• Familiarity with CFD or related tools is preferred although not required.
• You are eager to dig into challenging problems and are able to work independently.

What you'll get in return

You want an internship opportunity on the precursor of your career; an internship gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It’s not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That’s why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Furthermore, we provide :