Flowability and Compaction of Biomass and Refuse-Derived Fuels (RDFs)

IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) est un acteur majeur de la recherche et de la formation dans les domaines de l’énergie, du transport et de l’environnement. De la recherche à l’industrie, l’innovation technologique est au cœur de son action, articulée autour de quatre priorités stratégiques : Mobilité Durable, Energies Nouvelles, Climat / Environnement / Economie circulaire et Hydrocarbures Responsables.

Dans le cadre de la mission d’intérêt général confiée par les pouvoirs publics, IFPEN concentre ses efforts sur :

• l’apport de solutions aux défis sociétaux de l’énergie et du climat, en favorisant la transition vers une mobilité durable et l’émergence d’un mix énergétique plus diversifié ;
• la création de richesse et d’emplois, en soutenant l’activité économique française et européenne et la compétitivité des filières industrielles associées.

Partie intégrante d’IFPEN, l’école d’ingénieurs IFP School prépare les générations futures à relever ces défis.

Flowability and Compaction of Biomass and Refuse-Derived Fuels (RDFs)

Powder flow plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth operation of industrial processes. This is demonstrated by the ability of powders to move efficiently through silos, conveyors, and dosing systems without blockages or interruptions. Optimized powder flow reduces downtime and operational costs, as well as ensures precise powder dosing, leading to improved production and product quality.

This way, understanding and improving powder flow behavior is critical for industrial success. However, handling materials such as biomass and refuse-derived fuels (RDFs) presents unique challenges due to the heterogeneous nature of these powders. Variations in particle size, shape, density, and the complex mix of particles, combined with interactions with equipment configurations and operating conditions, make their handling particularly difficult.

Powder flowability, a term used to describe the ease with which a powder flows, can be assessed using various laboratory techniques. These aim to replicate the conditions under which particles are encountered, whether in aerated or densely packed states, to evaluate flow performance in different industrial equipments.

To date, there is a knowledge gap concerning measurement of flowability for biomass and RDFs, along with linking this parameter with handling performance of specific equipments.

Description

The objective of this internship is to obtain experimental data concerning the flowability and compaction dynamics of biomass and RDFs, along with the development of predictive models for these properties. 

The work will be divided into the following tasks:

• Conduct a literature review about flowability of biomass and RDFs
• Conduct experimental work to characterize powder physical properties (particle size, particle density, bulk density) and powder flowability (shear cells, static repose angle and Hausner ratio)
• Develop predictive models for powder flowability and powder compaction based on the experimental results and literature models
• Link the flowability/compaction models with fluidization behavior for selected samples

The intern will gain hands-on experience concerning powder characterization techniques, bulk solids handling, and fluidization, while developing predictive models for solving of industrial handling issues.

Required profile

M2 (Bac+5); Ability to conduct experimental work in laboratory; Chemical, process, mechanical engineering or similar; 

• scientific curiosity; synthesis ability;

Additional information

Duration of the internship : 6 months
Workplace : IFPEN Lyon, Rond-point de l'échangeur de Solaize, 69360 Solaize
Transport : public transportation / personal vehicle
Paid internship 1130€/month (gross)