Thesis work: 30hp - System Component Sizing and Turbo-matching for Argon engines

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Background 
With the growing legislative demands on carbon free propulsion systems, TRATON is investigating into combustion engines charged with Argon as a working medium. The Gas exchange system being a vital aspect of the overall engine, bespoke designs are essential for contributing to seamless operation and improved brake thermal efficiency.  This use of argon as a working medium poses several challenges in terms of understanding the performance and design of such complex systems.

This thesis project offers a unique opportunity to combine system-level optimization and component-level validation in a novel zero-emission Argon-Hydrogen engine concept, contributing directly to Scania’s and TRATON’s sustainable powertrain development. 

Objective 
The purpose of this thesis work is to investigate the gas exchange and turbocharging system component performance of a closed-loop Argon-Hydrogen internal combustion engine, understand the effect of Argon as a medium on gas exchange performance. The study aims to understand how Argon’s thermal properties influence turbocharger operation, gas exchange dynamics, and system-level efficiency. Overall, the student is supposed to  develop simulation-driven methods using 0D tool for system sizing and GT-SUITE (1D) for turbo-matching, in this way the student contributes and helps the bigger picture of the Argon-Hydrogen engine project to understand if existing turbomachinery maps could be re-used for argon based engines.

The main objectives are:

1. Assess and size the turbocharger for operation with Argon as the working medium. Sizing for other main components such as charge-air cooler and condenser have already been done. 
2. Implement physics-based map scaling and adjustment methods to adapt air-based compressor and turbine maps for Argon operation, and evaluate their effects on turbo-matching and system performance.
3. Additional CFD maps for compressor and turbine using Argon as a medium are provided, this would be integrated in GT-SUITE and can be compared with scaled maps to assess the accuracy of the scaling approach. 
   
   

Job description 
This thesis will focus on system-level simulation and component level matching of a closed-loop Argon-Hydrogen internal combustion engine using GT-SUITE. The project aims to investigate and optimize the gas exchange and turbocharging systems, with emphasis on turbo-matching, component sizing, and system-level efficiency improvement. 

The work includes:

• developing a cycle analysis tool (0D level) in MATLAB/Python for system level studies, and using this tool to assess and size the key components of the system, including turbocharger, charge-air cooler and condenser etc. 
•  implementing physics-based scaling and map adjustment methods to adapt air-based compressor and turbine maps for Argon operations in GT-SUITE, and compare with the provided maps from CFD. 
• performing turbo-matching studies in GT-SUITE, to evaluate compressor and turbine, for fixed geometry turbochargers.
• understanding and explaining the effect of argon on gas exchange components, performance trends and comparing results from 0D tool and 1D tool GT-SUITE.

Who you are
You are a curious and motivated individuals with a solid academic background and a strong interest in Combustion engines, Turbomachinery and energy systems. You thrive in interdisciplinary environments and enjoy tackling complex challenges through testing, data analysis, and innovation. We are looking for two candidates for this thesis work.

We’re looking for someone who is:

•    In the final year of a relevant Master’s program

•    Passionate about engines, complex systems, simulations (prior work experience in related areas is meritorious)

•    Familiarity with programming in tools such as MATLAB or Python

•    Familiar with GT Power. This is an added value and not essential

•    Fluent in English, both written and spoken

•    Start date for the thesis project: January 2026 (Start date and timeline to be agreed upon between TRATON, the candidate and the academic institution)

Education
MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering in physics, or similar 

Contact persons and supervisors
Supervisors:
Zhang Mengmeng, mengmeng.zhang@scania.com
Janakiraman Thiyagarajan, janakiraman.thiyagarajan@scania.com

Application:
Your application must include a CV, personal letter and transcript of grades 

A background check might be conducted for this position. We are conducting interviews continuously and may close the recruitment earlier than the date specified.