Post-Doc (M/F) Modelling and experimental study of a solar reactor

The work will be realized within an ANR project on solar metallurgy. The main objective of the research project is to develop a sustainable metallurgical process with low CO2 emissions by using concentrated solar energy to reduce iron ore, and the replacement of coke by carbon-free reducers like hydrogen.

A new continuous flow solar reactor for iron ore reduction has been developed at PROMES lab. It will be tested at the focus of a solar concentrator to determine the performance such as the products yields and quality as a function of the operating conditions. The collected products will be also analyzed by different characterization techniques to determine their composition and morphology. Experimental campaigns will be carried out to determine reactor performance.

In paralell, the solar reactor will be modelled by following two approaches: CFD modelling (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and global simulation that will be validated by comparison with experiments. The CFD model (Ansys Fluent) will be used to determine the temperature and velocity profiles. A diphasic model will be developed including heat and mass transfer and chemical reaction. The second model will be based on the global equations of mass and energy balances under transient operation.

Both experimental and modelling activities will be developed:
- CFD modelling of the reactor with Ansys Fluent,
- Global dynamic simulation for prediction of performances as a function of solar flux variations,
- Experimental studies of the solar reactor at the focus of a solar concentrator at Odeillo,
- Determination of performances, mass and energy balances, gas analysis and solid products characterization,
- Data treatment, exploitation and detailed analysis of results, reporting/articles writing.

The position will be located at the PROMES Odeillo laboratory (CNRS 1MW solar furnace) located in the Pyrénées Orientales at an altitude of 1600 m, 100 km from Perpignan, 20 km from Spain and 40 km from Andorra. Promes is a research unit of CNRS (UPR 8521) belonging to INSIS institute. The work will be carried out in the Solar Fuels team at Odeillo which develops researches on the production of new energy carriers and materials using thermochemical processes.