Falling liquid films enhance heat and mass transfers in many systems or processes. In process engineering, falling films are widely used for absorption, like in CO2 capture columns, in catalytic trickle bed reactors, in distillation installations, etc… The films flow over complex surfaces, like, for example, structured packings in absorption systems. In electrical engines, liquid films are used for cooling surfaces like windings of electric conductors. In the energy industry, falling liquid films are used for evaporative cooling systems. They can also be used for water treatment or desalination. In all systems, the films flow over complex 3D corrugated surfaces, usually perforated. The comprehension and modeling of falling liquid films is thus a key issue to design, optimize and improve the efficiency of the different systems. An accurate prediction of both the hydrodynamics and heat and mass transfers is thus crucial.
In the framework of a joint research project between IFP Energies Nouvelles and TU. Berlin, we plan to share large falling liquid film local measurements databases (liquid film thicknesses, velocities, heat and mass transfers). The objective of this thesis is to develop a numerical twin model for the simulation of falling liquid films over complex surfaces. The general approach will rely on developments based on the opensource software OpenFOAM and on the experimental databases for validation purposes. Corrugations can be horizontal or similar to standard Mellapak packings. The solid surface can be smooth, textured, metallic or transparent, which will be modeled as adequate boundary conditions (eg. constant or dynamic contact angles). Selected experimental data will be used to validate CFD calculations at local scale. The results will be used to better understand the link between hydrodynamics and mass transfers, and to improve modeling of liquid film systems.
Half of the project will be held in Berlin (at TU. Berlin) and the other one in Lyon (at IFPEN).
Join us if you want to push the limits of numerical simulations and help us improve the efficiency of energetic systems.
Keywords: Fluid Mechanics, CFD, multiphase flow, volume-of-fluid, mass transfer, heat transfer, chemical engineering, electrical engine cooling, structured packings, OpenFOAM
- Academic supervisor Pr. Jens-Uwe REPKE, DBTA - TU. Berlin, ORCID: 0000-0003-0516-2642
- Doctoral School ED162 MEGA
- IFPEN supervisors Dr. HDR. Pascal ALIX & Dr Lionel GAMET
- PhD location 18 months in TU. Berlin and then 18 months in IFPEN-Lyon
- Duration and start date 3 years, starting in fall 2024
- Employer IFPEN
- Academic requirements Engineering degree or University Master degree
- Language requirements Fluent in English, French and/or German
- Other requirements Numerical methods, Development (C++, Shell, Python, …), Chemical Engineering
To apply, please send your cover letter and CV to IFPEN supervisors below