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CFD Jobs Database - Job Record #18184

Job Record #18184
TitleCFD modelling of the pneumatic conveying of solids
CategoryPostDoc Position
EmployerIFPEN
LocationFrance, Solaize
InternationalYes, international applications are welcome
Closure DateThursday, June 01, 2023
Description:
Waste recovery is one of the main pillars of the energy transition. The energy 
needs associated with environmental issues require the use of new energy sources 
and the development of eco-efficient processes for recycling waste. In this 
context, thermal and/or catalytic solid waste treatment processes (urban, 
biomass or plastics) have become an essential step in their recovery process in 
a sustainable development and circular economy approach. The most common 
operations in bulk material processing and handling are dosing, weighing, 
drying, grinding, sieving, mixing, storage and conditioning. In the vast 
majority of cases, these operations are linked together by pneumatic conveying 
which becomes a key step in the process.

The PHOBARS project (Pneumatic Handling Of Bio And Recycled Solids) aims at 
studying the pneumatic transport of non-conventional powders resulting from 
plastic wastes or second-generation biomasses. Those particles are more 
challenging to convey and were less investigated in the literature. A lack of 
knowledge on the relationship among the properties of particles, the operating 
conditions, the dimensions and configuration of the installations, and the 
performance of the operation results in difficulty of design of transport lines. 
There is therefore a need to better understand and model the behaviour of these 
so-called non-conventional powders during pneumatic transport in order to better 
control and optimize their implementation and transformation processes.

As a part of the project, multi-scale modelling of experimental results 
according to different approaches such as Euler-Euler (TFM), Euler-Lagrange 
(DEM-CFD) or hybrid Euler-Lagrange (Multi-Phase-Particle in Cell, MP-PIC), is 
utilized to take into account the effect of gas/particle and particle/particle 
interactions on transport dynamics.

CFD-DEM simulation of pneumatic conveying is increasingly used for modelling and 
analyzing key phenomena such as flow regimes and their transitions, particle 
attrition, electrostatic forces, etc. Despite the still very limited number of 
particles that can be treated by this approach, it remains the only one capable 
of giving a detailed description of the hydrodynamics of the operation by 
integrating all the interactions which take place within the system.

The objective of this postdoc project is to perform CFD-DEM simulations to study 
the effect of particles shape and electrostatic phenomena on pneumatic transport 
of solids. The results will be compared to experimental data with the aim of 
developing numerical models capable of predicting gas/solid flow behaviour with 
various types of non-conventional solids and determining at which conditions the 
common TFM or MP-PIC approaches may be used without losing significant 
information on the flow dynamics. Phase diagrams of pneumatic conveying
(ΔP vs. gas velocity for different solid flow rates) will then be plotted. The 
developed models would also be used for (i) acquiring information on complex 
phenomena and operating conditions that are difficult to treat experimentally, 
(ii) extrapolating pneumatic transport on a large scale (from pilot to 
industrial scale), (iii) establishing design rules and (iv) troubleshooting
and optimizing the operation of the installation.

The simulation will be performed for vertical and horizontal flow. The data 
relative to ΔP, particle velocity, concentration, particle-particle and 
particle-wall forces will be collected for each simulation. In addition to the 
typical forces acting on particles such as gravity, particleparticle
contact and gas-particle interaction, the electrostatic forces will also be 
included. In addition to phase diagrams, further effort will be dedicated to 
find the common properties/parameters that define the transition from one flow 
regime to the other.

Candidate profile:
The candidate should have a PhD in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering with 
knowledge of multiphase flow. Extensive experience with CFD-DEM is required. The 
candidate must be autonomous and pragmatic. Knowledge of other CFD tools is also 
appreciated.

Duration and remuneration :
1.5 year contract. Gross salary of around 3150 euros/month + welcome bonus.

To Apply:
Please send your Resume, Motivational letter, Two reference letters and a copy 
of the first page of PhD dissertation reporting the completion date.
Contact Information:
Please mention the CFD Jobs Database, record #18184 when responding to this ad.
NameMathieu Morin
Emailmathieu.morin@ifp.fr
Email ApplicationYes
Addressmathieu.morin@ifpen.fr
Record Data:
Last Modified15:34:27, Friday, December 16, 2022

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