Missions

The candidate will be required to design, implement, carry out and analyse combustion tests with decarbonised fuels on various experimental systems.

Activities

The activities will be as follows:
- Identify ammonia/hydrogen mixtures of interest based on a literature review
- Identify the diagnostics to be performed, based on what is available in the laboratory, to characterise the reactive properties of the mixtures
- Familiarise yourself with existing experimental devices (burners and combustion chamber) and propose modifications to these devices based on the scientific objectives identified
- Developing the test matrix
- Contributing to the implementation/integration of new techniques/extensions of analysis and simulation, possibly in existing codes/software
- Conducting experiments, collecting and interpreting results
- Synthesising/writing scientific reports and articles on the results obtained
- Collaborating with researchers working on the project

Skills

The candidate must have solid expertise and skills in the following areas:
Know-how:
- Expertise in experimental combustion
- Familiarity with optical diagnostics applied to the characterisation of reactive fluids
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Matlab and Python.
Interpersonal skills:
- Ability to adapt to changing project requirements and willingness to contribute to collaborative research.
- Ability to work within a team, with limited travel to attend project meetings
Desired education:
- PhD and/or engineering degree in one of the following fields: Combustion, Energy
- Proven ability to work on research projects.

Work Context

At the CNRS ICARE UPR3021 laboratory, located on the CNRS campus in Orléans, the candidate will join the PC team.

To achieve the carbon neutrality target announced by Europe for 2050, demand for electricity will increase significantly for energy, transport and heating/cooling systems. To this end, most countries consider clean, intermittent renewable energies (such as wind and solar) to be the main energy resources of the future. However, due to their intermittency and the need to maintain a secure electricity supply, energy storage will be an integral part of the modern smart grid. One solution for storing surplus renewable energy is what is commonly referred to as “electrofuels”, which are only feasible if users develop appropriate technical solutions for their use in energy converters and/or transport systems. Hydrogen is often considered the best candidate but has so far suffered from a number of drawbacks, such as its storage capacity and safety.

Another alternative is ammonia (NH3), which can be considered a 'simple' hydrogen (H2) carrier (as recognised by the IEA). Ammonia has certain advantages over hydrogen, such as its higher volumetric energy density; easier and more widespread production, handling and distribution capabilities, and better commercial viability; its liquid phase through compression at 0.9 MPa at atmospheric temperature; and a well-established and reliable existing infrastructure for ammonia storage and distribution (including pipeline, rail, road and ship).

Today, NH3 is mainly considered as a co-fuel for carbon-based fuels in order to reduce the overall carbon footprint of applications (such as gas turbines, industrial furnaces or internal combustion engines). To go further and completely decarbonise emissions, the combustion of pure NH3 or co-fuelled with the smallest possible amount of H2 must be considered. Until now, most applications have relied on preliminary partial thermal cracking of NH3 into N2 and H2 to counteract NH3's high ignition temperature and low flammability (a positive safety feature).

The lack of knowledge regarding the oxidation chemistry of NH3 and the combustion process itself currently limits the optimisation of its combustion. The problems identified are mainly related to flame stabilisation and ignition, and optimising the flame to increase overall efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions (NOx and N2O as the second greenhouse gas (GHG) after CO2 and unburned NH3).

The position is in a sector covered by the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST) and therefore, in accordance with regulations, requires your arrival to be authorised by the competent authority of the MESR.

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