Description du sujet de thèse

Context:
This PhD thesis is part of the ambitious program “Support innovation to develop new largely carbon-free industrial processes” supported by the French Government in the framework of the decarbonization of the industry to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The decarbonation of the industry partly relies on the development and intensification of processes for CO2 capture. This PhD thesis is offered as part of the OXY3C project aiming at improving knowledge and skills in oxycombustion for the optimization of eco-efficient processes. The consortium working on this project gathers seven French academic laboratories and IFPEN.

Objectives of the thesis:
The goal of this PhD study is twofold. First, an experimental study under oxyfuel combustion conditions will be performed with laboratory scale apparatuses in order to characterize the reactivity of fuels as well as intermediate and pollutant emissions. Experiments will be carried out in flow reactors (e.g., jet-stirred and tubular reactors) and with a premixed flat flame burner. Species concentrations will be monitored using different diagnostics such as gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, FTIR spectroscopy. Particular conditions for which unstable combustion (oscillating behavior) is observed will be identify thank online mass spectrometry.
These data will be used for a more constrained validation of the detailed kinetic model, which will be developed from a previous one built in the framework of the H2020 Improof (https://improof.cerfacs.fr/) project for the combustion of biogas. A benchmarking will be performed to highlight prediction capabilities under oxyfuel conditions and improvement directions. This model will be provided to consortium members to optimize existing facilities (revamping) and to develop new technologies enabling an efficient CO2 capture.

Requirements:
We are looking for a candidate with an engineering or a master degree in process engineering with, if possible, knowledge in chemical kinetics. Modeling and experimental skills are required. Fluent English and ability to work in a team are expected.

Scientific leaders:
Olivier Herbinet, Associate Professor at the University of Lorraine, olivier.herbinet@univ-lorraine.fr https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivier-herbinet-0a471763/
Frédérique Battin-Leclerc, CNRS Research Director, frederique.battin-leclerc@univ-lorraine.fr
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9rique-battin-leclerc-10a10a24b/

Duration and start date of the thesis:
3 years with a start in October 2023 after recruitment.

Practical information:
The thesis will take place mainly at the LRGP (https://lrgp-nancy.cnrs.fr/) in Nancy, France. A stay of 6 months at PC2A (https://pc2a.univ-lille.fr/) in Lille, France, is planned.

Contexte de travail

The Reactions and Process Engineering Laboratory (UMR 7274) is a joint unit of the CNRS and the University of Lorraine created on January 1, 2010 and based in Nancy. Its general scientific objective concerns the study of processes taken in their entirety and their complexity. The LRGP develops scientific and technological knowledge necessary for the design, study, management and optimization of complex physico-chemical and biological transformation processes of matter and energy. The unit has more than 300 people, with nearly 20 CNRS researchers, 80 teacher-researchers, 45 technical and administrative staff and 180 non-permanent staff (researchers on contracts, 85 doctoral students, post-docs, masters.

This research project will be carried out in the CiTherE axis which is made up of specialists in chemical kinetics, thermodynamics and chemical reaction engineering. The fields of study are mainly focused on energy and aim to develop energy systems that are more efficient, more economical and more respectful of the environment, through an approach combining physical chemistry and process engineering. The experimental and theoretical work developed within this axis leads to an original approach making it possible to move from the understanding and modeling of phenomena at the molecular scale to the scale of the reactor or the process.

The person recruited will be part of the radical kinetics group with extensive experience in the field of the kinetics of pyrolysis, oxidation and combustion reactions which covers fields of study such as the formation and exploitation of oil, the combustion in engines or burners, the formation of pollutants or the destruction of toxic chemicals by thermal ways.

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.