Job Information
Organisation/Company: IMT Atlantique
Department: Doctoral division
Research Field: Engineering » Chemical engineering; Engineering » Process engineering
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: PhD Positions
Application Deadline: 1 Sep 2026 - 23:00 (Europe/Paris)
Country: France
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Offer Starting Date: 1 Oct 2026
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Academic Environment
IMT Atlantique, a leading graduate engineering school, aims to combine digital technology, energy, and the environment to transform society and industry through education, research, and innovation. The institution, which has campuses in Brest, Nantes, and Rennes, is part of the Institut Mines-Télécom and falls under the French Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. Internationally recognized for the quality of its research, IMT Atlantique supports around 300 PhD students.
The proposed thesis is part of the research activities of the VERTE team and the GEPEA laboratory at the Department of Sustainable Materials and Energy Processes (DSEE). Within the CNRS-affiliated GEPEA laboratory, the VERTE team contributes to developing innovative processes for waste valorization and CO₂ capture, thereby supporting the development of circular and low-carbon industrial value chains.
The research work will primarily be conducted at IMT Atlantique in Nantes, with regular exchanges with École Centrale Nantes, located a short distance from the campus. The thesis will be supervised by Professor Pascaline Pré (Director, IMT Atlantique/GEPEA) and Dr. Jean-François Largeau (HDR, Co-supervisor, ICAM/GEPEA).
Research Context and Objectives
The Accelerated Carbonation Operation – Le Mans (OCAA LM) project addresses the challenges of climate change by contributing to the development of a complete valorization chain, from CO₂ capture from waste incineration and sewage sludge methanization to its use for decarbonation purposes. The project focuses on an innovative technological solution that integrates CO₂ capture, liquefaction, and accelerated mineralization in recycled concrete residues or bottom ash, intended for use as a sub-base in road construction.
OCAA LM aims to demonstrate, at the scale of the Le Mans Métropole territory, a process for valorizing captured CO₂. The project brings together five complementary industrial and academic partners: VOLTIGITAL, Veolia, Colas, IMT Atlantique, and École Centrale Nantes (ECN). It is based on three complementary dynamics:
- Capture and liquefaction of CO₂
- Mineralization of concrete residues in a continuous reactor, based on the patented OCAAPI technology, which will be deployed as a demonstrator
- Exploratory research component (CIRCULOROK), complementing the demonstrator aspect, involving academic partners IMT Atlantique and ECN. This research program aims to optimize the performance of the mineralization reactor and the quality of carbonated materials to increase their recyclability and reduce cement consumption.
The research conducted as part of the thesis at IMT Atlantique aims to develop simulation models for the OCAAPI reactor, with the ambition of describing the transport and reaction mechanisms at different scales: intra-particle and granular bed. These models will account for the variability of the treated residues, particularly in terms of particle size, content, porosity, and binder composition. They will be developed in close collaboration with ECN, which will conduct experimental studies to assess the carbonation potential of model residues in relation to the characterization of their physicochemical properties.
State of the Art and Scientific Program
The mineralization of CO₂ applied to recycled concrete represents an emerging technological field. This process relies on the accelerated carbonation reaction, where carbon dioxide reacts with calcium hydroxide present in the cement paste to form stable calcium carbonate. This chemical reaction, simple in appearance but complex to industrialize, not only enables the permanent sequestration of carbon in mineral form but also improves the mechanical and physicochemical properties of the treated materials by reducing their porosity and water absorption while increasing their density. The chemical reaction for accelerated carbonation is as follows:
CO₂ + Ca(OH)₂ → CaCO₃ + H₂O
Although the kinetic modeling of carbonation mechanisms in cement phases is complex, it is well-documented in the literature. Detailed models describing the external transport and diffusion of CO₂ in gas and aqueous phases within the porosity of cement blocks, hydration mechanisms, and reactions of major constituents involved in the formation of CaCO₃ have been proposed [Kashef-Haghighi et al., 2010; Tri-Phung et al., 2016; Meier, 2005; Muntean et al., 2011; Kaddah F., 2023]. Homogenization approaches have also been developed to account for the morphological heterogeneity of the constituent phases of concrete (cement paste/sand grains/gravel) using representative elementary volumes [Achour M., 2018].
Based on this work, a multi-scale hybrid modeling methodology will be developed to address the complexity of detailed carbonation mechanisms of the cement phase coupled with gas transport within the composite granular layer. This approach will rely on:
- Developing machine learning-based surrogate AI models (physically informed neural networks) to predict the evolution of calcium carbonate precipitation rates associated with the reduction of internal porosity, CO₂ trapping, and moisture content of the cement phase as a function of the atmospheric conditions prevailing in the reactor.
- CFD simulation of the gaseous flow distribution within the granular bed, taking into account CO₂ injection systems at the walls, to account for resistance to external transport coupled with intra-granular diffusion.
The combination of these two approaches into a compartment modeling of the reactor, considering the gas phase residence time distributions and the sequential flow of granular layers, will enable the proposal of an advanced reactor simulation tool. A theoretical sensitivity analysis of operating parameters will then be conducted to identify possible avenues for improving performance. The expected recommendations concern, in particular, the optimal duration and flow rate of gas injection for each granular layer, as well as the optimal position of the injectors.
References
- S. Kashef-Haghighi, Y. Shao, S. Ghoshal, Mathematical modeling of CO₂ uptake by concrete during accelerated carbonation curing, Cement and Concrete Research, 67, 2015, 1-10.
- Q. Tri Phung, N. Maes, D. Jacques, G. De Schutter, G. Ye, J. Perko, Modelling the carbonation of cement pastes under a CO₂ pressure gradient considering both diffusive and convective transport, Construction and Building Materials, 114, 333-351, 2024.
- S.A. Meier, Modelling and Simulation of Concrete Carbonation with Internal Layers, Zentrum Für Technomathematik, Univ. Bremen, 2005.
- A. Muntean, M. Bohm, J. Kropp, Moving carbonation fronts in concrete: a moving-sharp-interface approach, Chem. Eng. Sci. 66 (3), 538–547, 2011.
- F. Kaddah, Multi-scale study of the carbonation of recycled concrete aggregates: new characterization and modeling methods, PhD Thesis, École Centrale de Nantes, GEM, 2023.
- F. Kaddah, H. Ranaivomanana, O. Amiri, E. Rozière, Accelerated carbonation of recycled concrete aggregates: Investigation on the microstructure and transport properties at cement paste and mortar scales, Journal of CO₂ Utilization, 57, 101885, 2022.
- F. Kaddah, E. Roziere, H. Ranaivomanana, O. Amiri, Complementary use of thermogravimetric analysis and oven to assess the composition and bound CO₂ content of recycled concrete aggregates, Developments in the Built Environment, 100184, 2023.
- F. Kaddah, O. Amiri, P. Turcry, H. Ranaivomanana, E. Roziere, Coupled thermo-hydrochemical modeling of accelerated carbonation of cement-based materials: application to CO₂ uptake, Journal of Building Engineering, 109819, 2024.
- M. Achour, Modélisation du couplage carbonatation – chlorures et étude multiéchelle de l’influence des granulats sur la diffusivité dans les bétons, PhD Thesis, École Centrale de Nantes, GEM, 2018.
Candidate Profile
The candidate, holding a Master's degree or an engineering diploma in process engineering, should demonstrate a strong interest in the study and modeling of transfer-reaction phenomena, particularly involving the implementation of calculation codes and the use of CFD software. They should have a good understanding of reactor modeling methodologies using classical approaches (ideal reactors, compartment models, RTD) and be eager to acquire skills in developing innovative hybrid approaches combining artificial intelligence tools (neural networks).
The ideal candidate will show initiative, autonomy, rigor, curiosity, and a strong desire to learn, along with excellent writing and communication skills.
Application
To apply, please send a complete application file including:
- A cover letter
- An up-to-date CV
- Academic transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
The application should be sent to: Pascaline.Pre@imt-atlantique.fr
Where to apply
E-mail: pascaline.pre@imt-atlantique.fr
Requirements
Research Field: Engineering » Process engineering
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
The candidate, holding a Master's degree or an engineering diploma in process engineering, should demonstrate a strong interest in the study and modeling of transfer-reaction phenomena, particularly involving the implementation of calculation codes and the use of CFD software. They should have a good understanding of reactor modeling methodologies using classical approaches (ideal reactors, compartment models, RTD) and be eager to acquire skills in developing innovative hybrid approaches combining artificial intelligence tools (neural networks).
The ideal candidate will show initiative, autonomy, rigor, curiosity, and a strong desire to learn, along with excellent writing and communication skills.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Good
Internal Application form(s) needed
PhD_Thesis_Offer-OCAA-LM.pdf (English, 379.88 KB - PDF)
Additional Information
- Application deadline: September 1, 2026
- Thesis start date: October 2026
- Contract duration: 36 months
- Location: Nantes, France
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: IMT Atlantique Bretagne - Pays de la Loire
Country: France
City: Nantes
Postal Code: 44307
Street: La Chantrerie 4 rue Alfred Kastler
Contact
City: Brest, Nantes, Rennes
Website: https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en
Street: Brest, Nantes, Rennes
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