Flow rate measurement in a pipeline using thermal noise detection

Thesis topic details

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-25-0006  

Thesis topic details

Category

Engineering science

Thesis topics

Flow rate measurement in a pipeline using thermal noise detection

Contract

Thèse

Job description

Flow measurement is a key factor in process management, particularly in the nuclear and industrial sectors. However, current measurement methods require complex installations, especially in environments with strict regulations, such as in the nuclear sector. To address these challenges, the CEA has developed an innovative method for measuring flow in non-isothermal fluids, based on the analysis of thermal fluctuations. This technique, which uses two temperature sensors installed upstream and downstream on the pipeline, is simple to implement and involves minimal constraints. The temperature variations are carried by the flow from one sensor to the other, and by comparing the signals recorded by these sensors, it is possible to calculate the thermal transit time between them, which allows the flow velocity, and consequently, the flow rate, to be determined. The goal of this thesis is to optimize this method by enhancing its reliability. To achieve this, the propagation of thermal noise within the flow will be studied, and both the type and placement of the sensors will be optimized. This work will be carried out within the Core and Circuit Thermohydraulics Laboratory in collaboration with the Instrumentation, System and Method Laboratory, which has state-of-the-art experimental equipment. Numerical simulations will complement the experimental work to validate the obtained results. In parallel, artificial intelligence approaches will be explored to improve the processing of thermal signals. By the end of the thesis, the doctoral candidate will have acquired extensive skills in experimental and numerical work and will be able to leverage these in future endeavors.

University / doctoral school

Sciences et Ingénierie des Molécules, des Produits, des Procédés, et de l’Energie (SIMPPE)
Université de Lorraine

Thesis topic location

Site

Cadarache

Requester

Position start date

01/08/2025

Person to be contacted by the applicant

GUENADOU David david.guenadou@cea.fr
CEA
DEN/DTN/STCP/LTHC
Bât. 220
13108 Saint Paul lez Durance
04.42.25.47.64

Tutor / Responsible thesis director

LABERGUE Alexandre alexandre.labergue@univ-lorraine.fr
Université de Lorraine CNRS
LEMTA
2, avenue de la forêt de Haye -
BP 90161
54505 VANDOEUVRE CEDEX - FRANCE
03 72 74 42 84

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