Company description

We at Vattenfall are committed to making fossil-free living possible. To succeed, as one of Europe's largest energy companies, we must first become completely fossil-free ourselves. But that is not enough. To contribute to a fossil-free society, we need to do more than just focus on sustainable energy production.

Because we are convinced that if we are to make fossil-free living possible, we need to look at the challenge from a broader perspective than just producing energy in a sustainable way.

Join us on the road to fossil-free living.

About the role

Power Climate Smarter living - that's our purpose. We are looking for talented students to help us on our journey towards fossil-free living. Writing a thesis at Vattenfall gives you a unique opportunity to contribute to our purpose. All we ask is that you unleash your superpowers and share your energy with us.

Background

Hydro power has a relatively small climate impact and accounts for almost half of Sweden's electricity production. Vattenfall owns and operates about 125 large-scale hydropower units, most of which have a vertical shaft supported by plain bearings, this together with the low operating speed distinguishes hydropower units from other large rotating machines. Vattenfall R&D has for a long time developed models for these plain bearings which have a great impact on the dynamics of the entire shaft train.

Objective

The objective of this thesis is to compare the properties of different types of plain bearings with respect to stiffness and damping properties and response simulation of the rotor system. Validate simulated values with experimental results from Vattenfall R&D's rotor dynamic test rigs.

• Calculate the properties of different types of hydrodynamic plain bearings.
• Conduct response simulation with different sets of bearings and rotor models.
• Validate simulated values against experimental results with vertical and horizontal axis.
• Compare results for the different bearing types.
• Include different types of bearing models.

Suggestions for work steps

• Literature study with focus on:
• Hydropower generators
• General theory of rotor dynamics
• General theory of sliding bearings
• Bearing models for vertical rotors
• User manual bearing software RAPID
• Planning and structuring of the work.
• Conversations (e.g. interviews) with Vattenfall's experts in the field.
• Calculation of bearing properties in RAPID
• Implement calculated bearing properties in a rotor model for response simulation. E.g. in MATLAB.
• Comparison with experimental results with vertical and horizontal axis.
• Report writing and presentation of the work.

Requirement specification

We are looking for student(s) who want to work towards fossil free and who will soon graduate from your academic studies. You are also someone who identifies with our principles: Active, Open, Positive and Safety

• Education - Master student in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics or similar.
• Very good knowledge of Swedish and English

Additional information

• The assignment starts: 2025-01-13 or by agreement
• Location: Luleå University of Technology or Vattenfall's office in Älvkarleby.
• Application - a file with your CV and a copy of your grades.
• Last day to apply is 2024-12-08
• Contact person and supervisor at Vattenfall: Rolf Gustavsson, rolf.gustavsson@vattenfall.com, 072 205 27 37 and Jens Österud, jens.oesterud@vattenfall.com, 070 306 97 62

Diversity and inclusion - in everything we do

We are convinced that heterogeneous teams can outperform homogeneous teams. But we can only unleash and use the power of diversity when everyone feels included.