High-Pressure Hydrogen Micromix Combustion for Gas Turbines (MMX)

Context

To accelerate the energy transition and mitigate the effects of climate change, hydrogen combustion emerges as a sustainable alternative to hydrocarbons in industrial gas turbines. However, in the current geometries of combustion chambers, it is challenging, if not impossible, to stabilize hydrogen flames without risking flashback. This issue arises from the significant differences in kinetic, flammability, and diffusion properties between hydrogen and natural gas, for which most gas turbines have been designed and optimized. These differences can lead to increased risks of turbine component damage and potentially increased emissions of pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx). To address these challenges, an innovative fuel injector geometry, known as Micromix, has been developed, which aims to improve flame stabilization while limiting NOx emissions by injecting fuel perpendicularly into the oxidizer flow through holes of a few hundred micrometres in diameter. However, experimental studies on this type of injector are still scarce in the literature. As a result, the efficiency of air-fuel mixing for different configurations of this type of burner has not been quantified. This project is part of a groundbreaking multi-institutional initiative funded by Siemens Energy Canada, CRIAQ, and NSERC, and involves Polytechnique Montréal, McGill University, the University of Toronto, and the National Research Council of Canada.

Description of the Position

As a PhD student within the MMX project, you will be responsible for characterizing the combustion efficiency of a lab-replicated MicroMix burner using various state-of-the-art laser diagnostic tools. This includes:

• developing the laser diagnostics methodology to quantify combustion efficiency
• adapting the combustion experimental setup to implement the new optical diagnostics
• performing hydrogen-air combustion experiments in conditions representative of practical gas turbines (pressure, temperature and turbulence intensity)
• and publishing your results in scientific journals and presenting at national and international conferences.

Our offer

• A motivating research project where you will have the opportunity to connect with multiple industrial and academic partners.
• Competitive stipend within the vibrant, welcoming city of Montréal where the cost of living is the lowest amongst the major Canadian cities.
• A multidisciplinary, diverse, and supportive team composed of ~20 students and 3 researchers supervised by Profs. Etienne Robert and Bruno Savard.
• A brand-new laboratory equipped with recent, state-of-the-art instruments.
• The opportunity to take graduate courses at Polytechnique Montréal and other universities in the Montréal area.
• Graduate from one of Canada’s top engineering school and the leader in Québec for the size of its student body and the magnitude of its research activities.

Qualifications

The required background for this position is a Master of Science (MSc or equivalent). Candidates with diplomas in mechanical, physical, chemical or material science engineering will be preferred. Experience with laboratory work and diagnostic tools in fluid mechanics is an asset. Excellent communication skills in technical English (both oral and written) are essential for all positions. The selection process will be made on the basis of academic merit, language skills and publication record. Applicants must be strongly motivated for graduate studies and be able to work independently towards the objectives of the project.

Application

Individuals interested in joining the project should send:

1. Brief curriculum vitea along with their transcripts;
2. An example of technical writing in English where the applicant is the main author (paper, report or master thesis for example).
3. A list of publications where one section is devoted to articles accepted/published in international refereed journals and one other section where all the other communications (conferences, books, papers not written in English, etc.) are listed;
4. A one-page letter explaining the position profile sought (experimental/numerical/hybrid), the expertise of the candidate and relevant contributions to research.

Applications should be sent by email to Prof. Etienne Robert: [email protected]

Incomplete or non-conform applications will not be considered. The applications received will be evaluated as they arrive, starting on February 15^th 2025, for a start of studies between September 2025 and January2-26, with a preferred start date in September 2025.