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-27-0370
Thesis topic details
Category
Engineering science
Thesis topics
Effects of turbulence and mixing on the interactions between a hydrogen-air flame and a spray
Contract
Thèse
Job description
This project studies the interactions between a hydrogen-air flame and a water spray in the context of a severe accident (e.g., hydrogen release in a nuclear containment). The goal is to analyze how sprays influence flame propagation and generated overpressures, which can either inhibit combustion or accelerate it through turbulence and obstruction mechanisms.
The experimental program is divided into:
1/ Characterization of spray-induced turbulence (1 or 2 nozzles, in open air or confined vessel) using PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry).
2/ Study of combustion impact: comparison of flame dynamics (H2/air) with and without spray, measuring propagation speeds and overpressures.
3/ Numerical modeling: adaptation of CFD codes (e.g., WALL-HY) to simulate flame-droplet interactions, building on previous work (G. Gai’s thesis).
This work aims to provide reference data and a predictive model to assess hydrogen-related risks in the presence of spray systems.
University / doctoral school
Thesis topic location
Site
Saclay
Requester
Position start date
01/09/2027
Person to be contacted by the applicant
MASSET Pierre-Alexandre 
CEA
DES/DM2S/STMF/LIEFT
CEA ISAS, bat 460
DM2S/STMF/LE2H
Tutor / Responsible thesis director
Schuller Thierry thierry.schuller@imft.fr
Université Toulouse 3 – Paul Sabatier
IMFT
Département de Mécanique
Faculté des Sciences et d’Ingénierie
Université Toulouse 3 – Paul Sabatier
118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France
05 34 32 28 93
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