Modeling of Joule heated catalytic reactor for Reverse Water Gas Shift

IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) est un acteur majeur de la recherche et de la formation dans les domaines de l’énergie, du transport et de l’environnement. De la recherche à l’industrie, l’innovation technologique est au cœur de son action, articulée autour de quatre priorités stratégiques : Mobilité Durable, Energies Nouvelles, Climat / Environnement / Economie circulaire et Hydrocarbures Responsables.

Dans le cadre de la mission d’intérêt général confiée par les pouvoirs publics, IFPEN concentre ses efforts sur :

• l’apport de solutions aux défis sociétaux de l’énergie et du climat, en favorisant la transition vers une mobilité durable et l’émergence d’un mix énergétique plus diversifié ;
• la création de richesse et d’emplois, en soutenant l’activité économique française et européenne et la compétitivité des filières industrielles associées.

Partie intégrante d’IFPEN, l’école d’ingénieurs IFP School prépare les générations futures à relever ces défis.

Modeling of Joule heated catalytic reactor for Reverse Water Gas Shift

We are striving for a decarbonated industry and need to work towards new and innovative ways of carrying processes for reduced carbon intensity. The integration of joule heating to large scale processes can help reduce the overall carbon emission of a process by cutting fuel consumption.

In order to evaluate the feasibility of such processes, numerical models need to be developed, based on experimental data to help in extrapolation and decision making.

Description

Reverse water gas shift (RWGS) is a reaction converting CO2 and hydrogen to syngas for use in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of sustainable aviation fuels. This overall endothermic reaction demands a high level of energy to be carried out, energy that is typically obtained through the burning of fuel.

Research has shown a potential way of using electric heating, or Joule heating, to provide heat to the reaction system in similar endothermic reactions. In order to evaluate the feasibility of joule heating for RWGS, experiments have been conducted and analyzed prior to your internship.

The goal of this internship is to use modeling tools in order to compare a conventional industrial scale process to a potential Joule-heated case in terms of carbon emissions and process performances.

With the help of your supervisor, during this internship you will be asked to:

• Provide a literature review on modeling of Joule heated reaction system
• Build a model using COMSOL Multiphysics or an in-house modeling tool using C++, combining all necessary elements of kinetics, heat and mass transfer modeling, to represent the experimental set up
• Adjust parameters to obtain a fit between the experiments and the model
• If time permits, propose an extrapolation towards industrial scale of such a process, and evaluate energy demands against a more conventional process.

Required profile

Kinetics modeling, heat and mass transfer modeling, chemical and reaction engineering

Additional information

Duration of the internship : 6 months
Workplace : IFPEN Lyon, Rond-point de l'échangeur de Solaize, 69360 Solaize, FRANCE
Transport : public transportation / personal vehicle
Paid internship: 1080€/month