Missions

Industrial heat production represents ~10% of the worldwide CO2 emissions, and H2 as a fuel is a promising clean alternative to conventional fossil combustion. However, the carbon-neutral production of H2 via water electrolysis requires a high electricity input of at least 40 kWh/kgH2. Another alternative is CH4 plasmalysis, requiring in theory as little as 5 kWh/kgH2 and permitting the production of solid carbon, a valuable product employed in battery and tire manufacturing. The EM2C laboratory explores this novel approach by generating out-of-equilibrium methane plasmas with Nanosecond Repetitively Pulsed (NRP) discharges. These discharges accelerate the chemical conversion to H2 and C(s) at moderate temperatures (300 to 1200 °C) and are used by Spark Cleantech, a startup spin-off of the EM2C laboratory (see also. The goal of this project is to support the development of Spark Cleantech by improving our understanding of the discharges and their combustible products.
This postdoctoral position is focused on the in-situ characterization of the plasma plume during the conversion of CH4 to C2H2/H2. Another postdoctoral position on the combustion of the CH4/H2/C2H2 mixture will be advertised in parallel.

Activités

The postdoctoral researcher will play a key role in deploying optical diagnostics for the in-situ characterization of the products of the plasmalysis. Specific tasks include:
- Design, develop, and operate an academic research reactor compatible with optical diagnostics and operating conditions similar to the industrial version developed by Spark Cleantech. A close collaboration with the engineers of Spark Cleantech is expected to accelerate this development.
- Deploy a novel diagnostic of laser absorption imaging for spatially-resolved sensing of temperature and species (CH4 and C2H2). In parallel, Raman scattering will be employed for H2 sensing.
- Mentor PhD students involved in the project
- Contribute to the development of laser absorption spectroscopy diagnostics for combustion applications (post-doc in parallel).

Compétences

- Ph.D. in Plasma, Combustion, Physics, Chemistry, or a related field
- Experience with optical diagnostics (ideally laser absorption spectroscopy and Raman scattering, but not required)
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to meet deadlines
- Fluency in English (written and spoken)

Contexte de travail

The EM2C Laboratory (CNRS/INSIS and Université Paris-Saclay/CentraleSupélec http://em2c.centralesupelec.fr/), through its high-level academic research in energy and combustion and its applied studies in partnership with the most prominent companies or research centers in the field of transport and energy, contribute significantly to the progress of knowledge on these critical issues, both for the climate and for the environment. To meet these challenges, the laboratory's research activities are organized around three axes entitled Combustion, Out-of-Equilibrium Plasmas, Transfer Physics, and a transversal action in Applied Mathematics. You will be included in the Combustion axe. As PhD student, you will be registered in the SMEMAG (SCIENCES MÉCANIQUES et ÉNERGÉTIQUES, MATÉRIAUX et GÉOSCIENCES) Doctoral school.

The position is located in an area covered by the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with regulations, that your arrival be authorized by the competent MESR authority.

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.