Masters

To reach the Carbon neutrality target in 2050 as announced Europe in its Green Deal, the electricity demand will be strongly increased for energy, transport and heating/cooling systems. For that, most countries consider clean and renewable energy resources (as wind and solar) as the main energy resources for the future. However, due to their intermittency and the need to keep a secure electricity supply, the energy storage will be an integral part of the modern electricity smart grid. One solution to store the renewable energy excess is what is commonly named ‘electro-fuels’. Hydrogen is often considered as the best candidate but suffers up to now from some drawbacks such as its storage capacity and safety. Another alternative is Ammonia (NH3), which can be considered as a ‘mere’ hydrogen (H2) carrier. Even if these carbon-free fuels are attractive, there are still lot of difficulties to overcome.

Both e-fuels are very attractive in marine transportation, engines and gas turbines applications. Besides their physical chemistry restrictions (such as the low ignition temperature of NH₃, or the low density for H₂…), the question concerning their pollutant emissions (nitric oxides and N₂O) requires still careful attention. To improve the knowledge, pilot laboratory experiments are needed. At the PC2A lab, we are performing species measurements in premixed stabilized flames. The species profiles obtained on a wide range of flame conditions provide an indispensable database for the development of chemical mechanisms representative of NOx formation in flames.

The work program of this Master internship will consist in measuring the species involved in the NH₃/H₂ blend oxidation in premixed flames. Species will be detected and quantified using spectroscopic laser-based diagnostics (Laser-Induced Fluorescence and absorption), and InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR). Experimental results will be compared to simulated ones using kinetic modeling tools (ChemkinPro or CANTERA).

Laboratory:

PC2A, pc2a.univ-lille.fr

Supervisors: Nathalie Lamoureux, Pascale Desgroux

Contact e-mail: nathalie.lamoureux[chez]univ-lille[point].fr, pascale.desgroux[chez]univ-lille[point].fr

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of thousands of synthetic compounds that have been widely used worldwide since the 1940s due to their ability to repel both grease and water, and to their stability towards chemical and microbial degradation. The last property, which is due to the strong C-F bond, has also had the consequence that PFAS are very persistent when released into the environment.

PFAS are introduced into the atmosphere from a large number of sources and via several mechanisms depending on their physical and chemical properties. Once in the atmosphere, PFAS undergo transport in both the gas phase and particle phase, resulting in PFAS deposition and contamination in remote regions far from the sources, as e.g. it has been observed in the Arctic regions for the past 20 years

The main goal of this internship is to investigate their atmospheric degradation processes using different theoretical approaches unravelling their most favorable pathways and their atmospheric fate.

This project will be performed within the framework of a larger research program (CPER Ecrin; Labex CaPPA, and CDP AREA). The internship will take place at PC2A laboratory, Lille University.

Key words: atmosphere, molecular simulations, reactivity, PFAS, environment

Bibliographic project S3*

The S3 project is mainly dedicated to bibliographic research, preparation of a future laboratory work, feasibility tests in agreement with the laboratory policies (No internship agreement will be signed for the S3 project). The payment of a bonus is not mandatory.

Research project S4*

The S4 project is a full time research training (5-6 months) and an internship agreement should be signed. Students must receive an internship bonus in accordance with university policies. Supervisors must provide the internship bonus.

* Preferably, both options will be selected. However, the student is free to choose another project in S4.

Supervisor: Florent LOUIS

Laboratory: PC2A