PhD position in thermal runaway in e-biofuel production M/F

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Duration: 3 years (Starting from October-November 2026)

Supervisors: Sébastien Leveneur (sebastien.leveneur@ircelyon.univ-lyon1.fr)
& co-supervisor: Guillaume Fayet (guillaume.fayet@ineris.fr)

Location: IRCELYON & Ineris

Keywords: Kinetic modeling, calorimetry, thermal runaway
This thesis will be conducted as part of the e-BioFuels project. This project aims to develop optimized production pathways for e-biofuels by integrating biomass conversion with low-carbon electricity. It combines multi-scale modeling and targeted experiments to better understand and optimize the full value chain, from catalytic processes to industrial systems.
E-biofuels are hybrid fuels produced by combining biomass-derived carbon with low-carbon hydrogen and electricity. The carbon typically comes from lignocellulosic biomass (such as wood or agricultural residues), which is converted to syngas, while hydrogen is generated via water electrolysis powered by renewable or low-carbon electricity [1]. This combination enables higher carbon conversion and energy efficiency than conventional biofuels, making e-biofuels a promising solution for sustainable fuel production in hard-to-decarbonize sectors such as aviation and maritime transport. However, their large-scale deployment faces several challenges, including high production costs, strong dependence on electricity prices and carbon intensity, limited biomass availability, and the technological complexity of integrating multiple process steps. In addition, their environmental performance depends on full life cycle assessments, particularly regarding biomass supply chains and the electricity mix used.
E-biofuel production involves a sequence of thermochemical, electrochemical, and catalytic reactions, several of which are strongly exothermic and play a key role in process design. After biomass gasification and hydrogen production by electrolysis, the syngas is converted into fuels through catalytic synthesis reactions. The most exothermic steps are the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (formation of hydrocarbons from CO and H₂) and methanation (production of CH₄), both releasing large amounts of heat due to the formation of stable C–C and C–H bonds. Methanol synthesis is also exothermic [2], though to a lesser extent. Managing the heat released by these exothermic reactions is critical, as it strongly affects reactor design, catalyst stability, and overall energy efficiency, and can be advantageously recovered and integrated within the process to improve system performance. For instance, thermal runaway of exothermic reactions poses a significant safety risk in the chemical industry, accounting for nearly 25% of accidents [3]. Thermal runaway occurs when heat generation exceeds heat removal, resulting in an uncontrolled temperature increase. Deviations such as loss of cooling, feed composition changes or catalyst deactivation may lead to thermal runaway scenarios, both in batch and continuous reactor systems.



At lab scale, thermal runaway studies are typically carried out under batch or semi batch conditions, using small reaction masses and idealized heat and mass transfer conditions. However, methodological gaps remain to transfer thermal runaway indicators obtained at laboratory scale to continuous e biofuel reactors operating under industrially representative conditions, where heat removal limitations, thermal inertia, and process deviations play a critical role. How to propose a multiscale approach to assess the risk of thermal runaway in eBiofuel production? The main scientific challenge is therefore to develop a multiscale, safety oriented methodology to assess, predict and prevent thermal runaway in continuous e-biofuel processes, by explicitly bridging laboratory calorimetric data, kinetic modeling and reactor scale heat and mass transfer phenomena.
The recruited eBioFuels PhD student will:
-Identify and rank critical exothermic reactions along the e-biofuel value chain (based on reaction enthalpy, kinetics, operating conditions and sensitivity to process deviations) by interacting with the different partners of the e-Biofuel project.

-Design and perform calorimetric experiments (DSC, ARC, RC1) (to extract safety relevant parameters such as heat release rates, onset temperatures, adiabatic temperature rise and time to runaway indicators)

-Develop kinetic models, including runaway scenarios [4] (with explicit consideration of uncertainties and extrapolation limits when applied beyond laboratory scale)

-Integrate models into multiphysics frameworks (reactor scale) (accounting for realistic heat and mass transfer limitations and potential loss of control scenarios)

-Define safe operating envelopes for continuous processes through a systematic analysis of process deviation (e.g. cooling failure, feed composition disturbances) and their impact on thermal stability under both transient and steady-state operating conditions.

The emphasis will be placed on methodological developments that are transferable to other highly exothermic catalytic processes relevant to e fuels.

References:
1. De Chambost et al., From biofuels to e-fuels: an assessment of technoeconomic and environmental performance, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2026, 10, 905–919. DOI https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SE00786K
2. Portha et al., Kinetics of Methanol Synthesis from Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation over Copper–Zinc Oxide Catalysts, nd. Eng. Chem. Res. 2017, 56, 45, 13133–13145. DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.7b01323
3. A. Dakkoune, L. Vernieres-Hassimi, S. Leveneur, D. Lefebvre, L. Estel, Analysis of thermal runaway events in French chemical industry, Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, 62 (2019) 103938. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlp.2019.103938
4. Y. Wang, L. Vernières-Hassimi, V. Casson-Moreno, J.-P. Hébert, S. Leveneur, Thermal risk assessment of levulinic acid hydrogenation to γ-valerolactone, Organic Process Research & Development, 22(9) (2018) 1092-1100. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.oprd.8b00122

🎓 What you will gain
• Working in a diverse consortium (CEA, IFPen, Ineris, CNRS, etc)

• Exposure to experts in process safety (Ineris), the eBioFuels PhD student will work at Ineris: access to industrial safety facilities; expertise in risk analysis (HAZOP, QRA); link with real accident scenarios

• Exposure to experts in catalysts and kinetic modeling (IRCELYON): one of the first multiscale thermal runaway approach for e-biofuels; link between calorimetry → reactor → process scale; application to continuous systems (rare & challenging)

• Part-time hosting at IRCELYON (about 70%) and Ineris (30%) will give the opportunity to work in both academic and non-academic research laboratories.

Expected outcomes
• a structured multiscale methodology, validated on representative case studies,

• Publications in high-impact journals

• Participation in international conferences

• Interdisciplinary training environment

• Based in Lyon — widely regarded as the gastronomic capital of France — the position offers both scientific excellence and a vibrant lifestyle.

Requirements:
-Master's thesis in chemical engineering (or provisional certificate) OR master's thesis in chemistry but with good knowledge in chemical reaction engineering (or provisional certificate);
-Experience in experimental work and solid background in analysis;
-An interest in process safety and risk analysis will be considered a strong asset
-The candidate should have good knowledge in kinetic modeling;
-Fluent in English;
-This thesis will be embedded in the e-Biofuel project. Thus, the Ph.D. student must also be open to other scientific activities, such as automatic and DFT methods.

 
How to apply and get further information:
Candidates must submit a detailed curriculum vitae, as well as a single PDF document including: a cover letter, academic transcripts (Bachelor's and Master's degrees), and any other relevant documents (recommendation letters, language and degree certificates, awards, etc.).

Your Work Environment

The PhD student will be hosted at IRCELYON (UMR 5256 CNRS – Claude Bernard University Lyon 1), located on the LyonTech-La Doua campus in Villeurbanne. The laboratory brings together more than 80 permanent staff members and around fifty PhD students, and conducts cutting-edge research in catalysis, process engineering, and environmental chemistry. The candidate will join the ATARI team, which specializes in kinetic modeling, calorimetry, and thermodynamic analysis of reactions.

This position falls within a sector subject to the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST) and therefore requires, in accordance with regulations, that your appointment be authorized by the competent authority of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR).

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

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