How to electrify a process based on an endothermic reaction?

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.

How to electrify a process based on an endothermic reaction?

To reduce the carbon footprint of industries, the conventional fired heaters are replaced by electric heaters, but is this the best solution? The use of microwaves, allowing for volume and specific heating, could reduce electricity consumption compared to a resistive electrified oven.

The reverse water gas shift reaction (rWGS) is a highly studied reaction as it is a key building block in the production of electrofuels. To decrease the footprint of this production, an optimized heating is essential.

Description

The aim of the internship is to evaluate the interest of using a microwave heating method to activate an endothermic reaction. The internship will include the following actions:

1. Identification, in scientific work (theses, publications), of the different alternatives to heating by a thermal oven, their advantages and disadvantages.
2. Carrying out experiments in the laboratory to compare the results obtained with an electric furnace and with a microwave heater using the rWGS model reaction.
3. Technical and economic comparison between the two types of heating.

Required profile

• Engineering School of Chemistry / Catalysis with process option (CPE, Chimie Paris-Tech)
• General Engineering School

Additional information

Duration of the internship : 5 months
Workplace : IFPEN Solaize and IRCELyon, Villeurbanne
Transport : The IFP Energies Nouvelles Lyon center is located about 20 km south of Lyon. Personal transportation is recommended but not required. A public transport service (TCL on demand) is accessible from the Vernaison SNCF station, or from Oullins-gare. The IRCELyon is located on the Doua campus and benefits from many public transport.
Paid internship : 1080€/month