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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