General information
Organisation
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.
Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.
The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
Reference
SL-DES-24-0191
Thesis topic details
Category
Engineering science
Thesis topics
Glass gaskets sealing characterization and modeling for High-temperature steam electrolysis technologies
Contract
Thèse
Job description
Carbon free hydrogen production is a key challenge for the energy mix of the future. One of the technologies identified is based on high-temperature steam electrolysis (HTE). The operating conditions of this process require the development of specific glass gaskets to seal the electrolysis cells. The technical issues with these gaskets are directly related to the loss of seal occurring because of interface adhesion problems or material cracking during HTE thermal cycling.
The objective of this PhD work is to study the sealing performance of the glass gasket. Firstly, leakage tests will be carry out to discriminate the origin of seal loss according to the selected glasses. Then, mechanical characterization of the glass at high temperature will be performed in order to build the constitutive equation of the material. The overall PhD work will establish a link between the physico-chemical properties of glass and its mechanical and sealing properties. The results of the experimental tests and modeling will issue recommendations on the glass gasket to ensure the proper electrolyzer operation at industrial scale.
The thesis is part of the development of HTE technologies in sight of an industrial-scale production. The project is based on a close collaboration between GENVIA (CIFRE thesis)and CEA.
Applicant must hold a master’s degree or an engineering degree in material sciences. The student will have to acquire extensive knowledge in mechanic, a first experiment in this field will be highly appreciated. Applicant is expected to show good synthesis and communication skills in order to collaborate with the various teams involved in the project.
The expertise developed in glass mechanics and the experience acquired in the HTE field will be an asset for the future PhD. It is a great opportunity for the student to take advantage of his scientific knowledge to support the energy transition.
University / doctoral school
Ingénierie - Matériaux - Environnement - Energétique - Procédés - Production (IMEP2)
Université Grenoble Alpes
Thesis topic location
Site
Marcoule
Requester
Position start date
01/01/2024
Person to be contacted by the applicant
GIRAUD Pauline pauline.giraud@cea.fr
CEA
DES/DPME//LE
Laboratoire d'Etanchéité
2 rue James Watt
26700 Pierrelatte
Tutor / Responsible thesis director
GILLIA Olivier olivier.gillia@cea.fr
CEA
DES/DTCH//LCA
Département des Technologies de la Biomasse et de l’Hydrogène
CEA/Grenoble - DRT/LITEN/DTBH/SCTR/LCA
17 rue des Martyrs
38054 GRENOBLE Cedex 09
04 38 78 62 07
En savoir plus