PhD position for "Evaluation study of the conversion of an industrial waste incineration to oxy-combustion process operation: Energy and environmental assessment, numerical modelling, and economic viability analysis" - MSCA Cofund SEED programme

2 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

IMT Atlantique

Department

Doctoral division

Research Field

Engineering » Process engineering

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

14 Feb 2024 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE / MSCA COFUND

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101126644

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description
The PhD position is offered under an industrial track (2 years at IMT Atlantique + 9 months at Séché R&D, Saint Vulbas, France + 3 months at a European academic partner working on energy economics.
1.1. Domain and scientific/technical context

When reuse, recycling or material recovery is not possible, incineration is the technical solution for recovering energy from waste, combining the production of both electricity and heat. Fortunately, the health and environmental impact of the incineration fumes is drastically reduced thanks to particulate and gaseous treatment process ensuring a pollutant emission limit align with regulations. However, there is no regulatory limit for carbon dioxide (CO2) emission from waste incineration, despite its well-established impact on the climate. This is due to the low content of CO2 around 8% from flue gas, limiting the development of CO2 capture technology in this industry.

1.2. Scientific/technical challenges

In the Oxy-combustion process, furnaces receive a synthetic air mixture consisting exclusively of oxygen, enhanced with CO2. This leads to a significant decrease in harmful pollutant emissions such as NOx while producing supercharged fumes with a high CO2 content (around 90%), making the process more attractive for CO2 capture and recovery. The oxy-combustion also reduces the energy consumption required for the thermal treatment of waste by eliminating the nitrogen ballast provided by the combustion air.

The objective of this thesis is to investigate, using a combined approach of numerical modelling and techno-economic analysis, the conversion of a conventional existing incineration plant to oxy-combustion functionality in order to improve energy performance and reduce environmental impact. The scope of the thesis includes therefore the entire process modelling, the air filtration stage (separation of nitrogen and oxygen from the air) to supply the furnace, and the various possible scenarios for the capture and valorisation of the recovered biogenic CO2. The analyse will consider both technical and economic perspectives.

1.3. Considered methods, targeted results and impacts

The overarching goal is to minimize the environmental impact of waste incineration through a decarbonization strategy. This involves addressing scientific and technical barriers by enhancing the understanding of the thermochemical conversion reactions taking place in the furnace. This also involves studying the various operating parameters derived from the plant modelling like the influence of converting the furnace to oxy-combustion on pollutant emissions, and on the available energy for recovery. In addition to handling the fumes with a high CO2 content of 90%, another concern is to maintain the temperature control in order to mitigate potential consequences on waste treatment capacity and chemical nature.

Furthermore, to input and/or validate the numerical model, measurement campaigns will be conducted on the existing plant, supplementing the available operational data, to accurately quantify particulate and gaseous emissions at various points in the plant.

1.4. Environment (partners, places, specific tools and hardware)

The methodology implemented is based on a dynamic simulation of the process scale using a modelling tool, with the aim of developing a digital twin of the plant. The software considered for this study is ASPEN Plus (Advanced System for Process Engineering). The Trédi Salaise 3 incineration plant (Séché Environnement group), located south of Lyon, is envisaged as the case study. Thus, all the data required for the plant's modelling will be provided by the partner Trédi and collected by the PhD student during visits to the plant.

2. Partners and study periods
2.1. Supervisors and study periods

• IMT Atlantique: Assoc. Prof. Aurélie Joubert  and Prof. Laurence Le Coq , IMT Atlantique, Nantes, France

  The PhD student will stay 2 years at Prof. Le Coq's lab.

• Industrial partner: _Dr. Marc Henry , Séché R&D, Saint Vulbas, France

  The PhD student will stay 9 months at Dr. Henry's lab.

• International partner(s): The PhD student will stay 3 months at a European academic partner working on energy economics.

2.2. Hosting organizations
2.2.1. IMT Atlantique

IMT Atlantique , internationally recognized for the quality of its research, is a leading French technological university under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Digital Technology. IMT Atlantique maintains privileged relationships with major national and international industrial partners, as well as with a dense network of SMEs, start-ups, and innovation networks. With 290 permanent staff, 2,200 students, including 300 doctoral students, IMT Atlantique produces 1,000 publications each year and raises 18€ million in research funds.

2.2.2. Séché Environnement

Séché Environnement  is an important industrial player in waste management, including the handling of the most complex and hazardous waste, as well as environmental services, particularly in cases of environmental emergencies. With expertise in creating circular economy loops, decarbonisation, and hazard control, the group has been contributing to the ecological transition of industries and regions, as well as the protection of ecosystems, for nearly 40 years. As a French family-owned industrial group, Séché Environnement deploys cutting-edge technologies developed by its R&D in different worldwide regions, with over 120 facilities in 15 countries, including around fifty industrial sites in France.

During their stay at the Séché Environnement the PhD student will probably be hosted at its research Center located in the east of Lyon and at the Trédi Salaise site located south of Lyon.

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering » Process engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The topic requires an interdisciplinary approach combining both process engineering and energetics, with a technical focus on modelling and understanding the oxy-combustion process in connection with energy recovery and pollutant treatment. Additionally, an economic analysis is essential to assess the feasibility of the proposed solutions. A monitoring will be conducted on the evolving energy market and regulations, with a specific emphasis on CO2, distinguishing between fossil and biogenic CO2 in terms of utilization prospects. This economic dimension may be explored during a research stay abroad in collaboration with a competent partner.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Environmental science

Additional Information
Benefits
A PhD programme of high quality training : 4 reasons to apply

• SEED is a programme of excellence that is aware of its responsibilities: to provide a programme of high quality training to develop conscientious researchers, including training in responsible research and ethics. 
• SEED’s unique approach of providing interdisciplinary, international and cross-sector experience is tailored to work in a career-focused manner to enhance employability and market integration.
• SEED offers a competitive funding scheme, aiming for an average monthly salary of EUR 2,000 net per ESR, topped by additional mobility allowances as well as optional family allowances.
• SEED is a forward-looking programme that actively engages with current issues and challenges, providing research opportunities addressing industrial and academic relevant themes.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria. In accordance with MSCA rules, SEED will open to applicants without any conditions of nationality nor age criteria. SEED applies the MSCA mobility standards and necessary background. Eligible candidates must fulfil the following criteria

• Mobility rule: Candidates must show transnational mobility by having not resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before the deadline of the co-funded program's call (Jan 31, 2024 for Call#1). Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
• Early-stage researchers (ESR): Candidates must have a master’s degree or an equivalent diploma at the time of their enrolment and must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research career. Moreover, they must not have been awarded a doctoral degree.
  Extensions may be granted (under certain conditions) for maternity leave, paternity leave, as well as long-term illness or national service.

Selection process

The selection process is described on the guide for applicants available here: https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed/documents

Additional comments

Applications can only be provided through the application system available under the SEED website: https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/seed

Website for additional job details

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

IMT Atlantique

Country

France

City

Nantes

Postal Code

44307

Street

4, rue Alfred Kastler - La Chantrerie

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Website

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed

Contact

City

Nantes

Website

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed

Street

4, rue Alfred Kastler

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED