PhD position: Elaboration of 3D electrodes by additive manufacturing: numerical optimization and application to the electrosynthesis of ammonia
9 Feb 2024
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier- Research Field
Engineering » Chemical engineering- Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)- Country
France- Application Deadline
24 Apr 2024 - 18:00 (Europe/Paris)- Type of Contract
Temporary- Job Status
Full-time- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by an EU programme- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
Duration: 3 years (start: October 1, 2024)
Funding: Université Toulouse 3, Paul Sabatier, FRANCE
Doctoral school: Mechanics, Energetics, Civil & Process Engineering, MEGEP
Lab: Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, LGC
Keywords: hydrodynamics, mass transfer, electrochemistry, modeling, additive manufacturing, electrosynthesis I electrification, energy, environment, decarbonisation, hydrogen
Electrochemical reactors play a key role in several areas such as i) the production and recycling of raw materials (electrosynthesis, chlor-alkali, H2 , metals, etc.), ii) environmental protection (degradation of pollutant compounds, carbon-free processes, CO2 recovery, etc.) and iii) energy transformation and storage (fuel cells, redox flow batteries). They are also crucial for the development of carbon-free solutions based on electrification (renewable energy storage, electrosynthesis). New electrochemical applications in these areas (contributing to achieving carbon neutrality in 2050 [1]) require optimal and rapid design of efficient electrochemical reactors. In this context, this thesis aims to implement Additive Manufacturing (AM) for the development of new electrodes of the reactor. The full geometry control offered by AM allows the production of 3D/porous electrodes with complex shapes, which are not achievable by conventional manufacturing methods, and which lead to greatly improved electrochemical (mass flux/current and selectivity/potential distribution) and hydraulics (resistance to flow) performances. As the structure is numerically designed, it is possible to simulate the flow, and the transfers of mass and charges, through a 3D electrode produced by AM. This opens the way to the numerical optimization of the structure of the electrodes in order to design and produce more quickly an electrochemical reactor adapted, optimized and selective for a given application; thus avoiding the long and costly experimental optimization phase. AM represents a paradigm shift from the “classic” development of electrodes. However, no optimization method has yet been developed. In addition, the contribution of 3D electrodes produced by AM has not yet been evaluated and exploited for electrochemical applications of current interest.
In this context, the main objectives of this thesis are:
- Develop a method to numerically optimize the structure of 3D electrodes: selection and implementation of a numerical simulation of the flow and potential/current distribution taking into account electrochemical kinetics and mass transfer (direct CFD simulation, continuous effective model, porous medium), optimization
- Experimental validation of the performance of numerically optimized 3D electrodes: production of 3D electrodes by metallic AM LPBF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion), determination of AM parameters, electrochemical measurements on a filter-press reactor integrating the electrodes (voltammetry, electrolysis, measurement of the limiting current, etc.)
- Application to the electrosynthesis of ammonia NH3 which is considered today as a way to store hydrogen and whose production, without using H2 of fossil origin (alternative to the Haber-Bosch process), is an important topic of decarbonisation: use of the 3D electrodes produced by AM to enhance the flux and the yield of NH3 production (electrolysis, chemical analysis, NH3 dosage).
This research work will be carried out at Laboratoire de Génie Chimique (LGC) in the Electre team of the Electrochemical Processes department. The Electre team specializes in the design, modeling and implementation of electrochemical reactors and microreactors (electrosynthesis, depollution, redox flow batteries). The LGC has all the required analytical and numerical resources. During this project, the Electre team will collaborate with Laboratoire d’Études des Microstructures et de Mécanique des Matériaux (LEM3) in Metz (France) for aspects related to the metallic AM of the electrodes.
[1] IEA (2021), Net Zero by 2050, IEA, Paris https://www.iea.org/reports/net-zero-by-2050
About the application
Send CV, cover letter, transcripts and diplomas, name and contact information of two referees
Requirements
- Research Field
- Engineering » Chemical engineering
- Education Level
- Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field
- Engineering » Mechanical engineering
- Education Level
- Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Profile: Academic training (Master degree) in chemical engineering/process engineering, or in fluid mechanics and transfers (mechanical engineering), ideally with basic knowledge in electrochemistry.
Specific Requirements
Fluency in french appreciated but not required
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Level
- Excellent
Additional Information
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Université Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier, Laboratoire de Génie Chimique
- Country
- France
- City
- Toulouse
- Geofield
Where to apply
[email protected]
Contact
- City
Toulouse- Website
http://www.univ-tlse3.fr/
https://lgc.cnrs.fr/en/
https://ed-megep.univ-toulouse.fr/as/ed/actu.pl?site=megep- Street
118 route de Narbonne- Postal Code
31062
STATUS: EXPIRED