Development and experimental validation of a 0D Model for Polymer Dissolution

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• 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 ;
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Development and experimental validation of a 0D Model for Polymer Dissolution

Polymer dissolution is an important step in several advanced plastic recycling and valorization processes. Accurately predicting dissolution kinetics is essential to better understand the underlying mechanisms and to support process design and optimization.

The dissolution dynamics result from several coupled physical phenomena, including mass transfer, diffusion, particle or droplet size evolution, and droplet break-up, all of which affect the available interfacial area and the overall dissolution rate.

Within this context, experimental data are available at IFPEN to support the development and validation of a phenomenological modeling approach.

Description

The objective of the internship is to develop a 0D model of polymer dissolution based on global mass balances and a Shrinking Core Model-type approach.

The intern will be involved in the following activities:

• Review the relevant literature on polymer dissolution, mass transfer, diffusion, and droplet break-up.
• Identify the main physical mechanisms governing the dissolution process.
• Derive the governing equations describing the evolution of polymer mass, particle/droplet size, concentrations, and interfacial area.
• Develop a 0D numerical model accounting for:
  
  • mass transfer between phases;
  • solvent and/or polymer diffusion;
  • particle or droplet size evolution during dissolution;
  • droplet break-up and its impact on interfacial area and mass-transfer rates.
• Implement and solve the resulting system of differential equations.
• Estimate the relevant transport and model parameters using experimental data available at IFPEN.
• Compare model predictions with experimental results and assess model performance.
• Perform sensitivity analyses to identify the dominant mechanisms and key parameters governing dissolution kinetics.

The work will combine physical modeling, numerical simulation, and analysis of experimental data, with the aim of developing a predictive model that can be used to better understand and optimize polymer dissolution processes.

Required profile

Experience with numerical computing tools such as Python, MATLAB, or equivalent software; interest in modeling and transport phenomena, with knowledge of mass balances, mass transfer, diffusion, and differential equations;

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 1150€/month (gross)