in Operando Sensing for Green Hydrogen Production (M/W)

2 Nov 2023
Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Chimie du solide et de l’énergie

Research Field

Chemistry » Physical chemistry
Chemistry » Computational chemistry

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

22 Nov 2023 – 23:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

1 Dec 2023

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The project will focus at Collège de France on developing an optical fiber-based sensing system to monitor critical parameters such as temperature, pressure, and pH, in real-time and to correlate them with experimental data on degradation. In parallel, some interactions with other teams from TotalEnergies or collaborations can be envisaged to use machine-learning techniques and develop predictive models from these data.

• Implement, test and adapt an electrochemical cell that tends to mimics an industrial alkaline electrolyzer
• Develop optical fiber/assemble practical sensors, optimize the integration to the lab scale electrochemical cell•
Test optical fibers to probe parameters such as temperature, turbidity, electrolyte concentration, and H2
concentration
• Correlate the physically observed parameters with operating data of electrochemical cells
• Develop and test an operando optical-fiber-based evanescent wave infrared spectroscopy approach to study
possible material structural evolution
• Collaborate with TotalEnergies OneTech team/collaborators for data analysis, using machine learning or other
processes
• If successful, design a first prototype of the developed sensors for use on pilot-scale or industrial assets

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented PhD researcher to join our team and work on a research project aimed at addressing the durability and safety concerns that slow down the widespread deployment of water alkaline electrolyzers for hydrogen fuel production. However, there is a huge gap to fill between the current
electrolyzer scale and what is expected to fulfill the needs in green H2 to decarbonize the industry and transportation sectors. For illustration, Europe plans to produce locally 10 million tons of green hydrogen per year, and import the same quantity by 2030. Assuming at least 50% of these quantities will be produced by electrolyzer, we would need to set up at least 200 GW of electrolyzers by 2030, while in 2023, only 300 MW of electrolyzers are operational in the whole world. One must have in mind that electricity constitutes the main contribution of the H2 production cost. Hence, gaining a good understanding of the degradation mechanisms and
rate is of prime interest since it will directly impact the economics of green H2 production projects, but also the failure of electrolyzer stacks can lead to drastic accidents, as seen in the past.
While some multiphysics models can be developed to better understand these phenomena, they need experimental data to feed them and to understand how local intensive parameters vary within the electrolyzer. The project will focus at Collège de France on developing an optical fiber-based sensing system to monitor critical parameters such as temperature, pressure, and pH, in real-time and to correlate them with experimental data on degradation. Hence, this will help to better control the electrolysis process and reduce the likelihood of hazardous events. In parallel, some interactions with other teams from TotalEnergies or collaborations can be envisaged to use machine-learning techniques and develop predictive models from these data.

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Chemistry » Physical chemistry

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Chemistry » Computational chemistry

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Eligibility criteria

• Doctorant in chemical engineering, electrochemistry, materials science, or a related field
• Experience in electrochemical experiments and/or optical characterization
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge in programming/data analysis would be a plus

Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR8260-SATMAR-006/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Chimie du solide et de l’énergie

Country

France

City

PARIS 05

Where to apply

Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/UMR8260-SATMAR-006/Candidater.aspx

Contact

City

PARIS 05

STATUS: EXPIRED