Research

• Overview
• Resources
  • Workshop
  • Laboratory
  • ROLSI®
  • Softwares
• Research fields
  • Oil and gas engineering and CO2 capture, transport and storage
  • Optimization of thermodynamic and energy systems
  • Biomass and green chemistry
• Research projects
• On going Ph.D.
• Partnerships/Collaborations

Overview

The main research topic of the CTP is the study of phase diagrams. This research topic is at the heart of the industrial processes and the energy systems. The phase diagram is a kind of "map" which indicates whether a transformation of the matter is possible or easy, what "way" one must use to separate components or what power one must provide to compress a gas mixture. A phase diagram allows us to size a new process or a new unit operation; it is also useful for energy optimization, raw material consumption, safety and environment (use).

The determination of phase diagrams can be done according to several ways :

– the use of existing thermodynamic models in order to estimate thermodynamic properties at equilibrium. If the data are available in the literature, the binary interaction parameters will be determined by objective function minimization. Predictive models (group contribution, principle of corresponding states) may also be used.

– if data are not available, the researchers will determine them using the equipment available in the laboratory.

– the data will also be possibly predicted by molecular simulation methods (Monte Carlo, prediction of transport properties by molecular dynamics).

– if necessary, the equipment will be modified if the existing experimental techniques are not adapted or developed if these techniques do not exist.

– data treatment is with the use of existing thermodynamic models or those specifically developed.

The developed thermodynamic models also allow to calculate the thermodynamic properties such as densities, enthalpy, entropy and heat capacities. The thermodynamic models also play an essential role as for the study of the kinetic phenomena in the processes. The transport properties are often predicted from a thermodynamic model. Knowledge of transport properties allows us to determine the values of the classic dimensionless numbers (Reynolds, Nusselt, Sherwood, Schmidt, Prandtl, etc.), which is necessary for calculating the coefficients of matter and heat transfer.

Scientific project:

The scientific project of the CTP consists of:

– a better participation in defining programs in the frame of studies desired by the various plant managers, in the presence of their representatives, to solve occasional problems or accompany the development of processes;

– a better participation in national and international projects (ADEME, Joint Industrial Projects, European projects, etc.)

– the CTP also wishes to be a "support" for other centres of the DEP and of MINES ParisTech on account of its skills in fluid analysis (experimental part) but also in determination of the thermodynamic properties and the phase diagrams. In the frame of joint projects (for example, ANR Gaz Annexes and SIGARRR, joint thesis with PERSEE and CES), the CTP can also provide more fundamental work with the aim of a publication in rank A journals or a participation in many congresses.