Optimization and integration of metamodels for industrial process simulations

IFP Energies nouvelles - Lyon; Solaize; Sur place; EUR 11 000 - 15 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Paid internship

Résumé du poste

IFP Energies nouvelles - Lyon offers a 6-month internship focused on optimizing and integrating metamodels for industrial process simulations. You will work on the REWIND PET case, enhancing how external metamodels couple with Pro II and other simulators, with an emphasis on reducing convergence time.

Ideal candidates are chemical or process engineers with experience in process design and at least basic Python programming. The internship is paid at 1150€ gross per month and based in Lyon, France.

Qualifications

• Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering background.
• Familiarity with process simulators (Pro II, Aspen Plus, AVEVA P.S.).
• Basic programming skills (e.g. Python) are appreciated.

Responsabilités

• Analyze the current Pro II simulation and Excel Unit setup to identify bottlenecks.
• Develop and test alternative integration modes (Python calculators, Cape-Open components).
• Prototype solutions for the REWIND PET case and compare approaches for convergence and usability.
• Provide recommendations for future metamodel integration in process simulators at IFPEN.

Connaissances

Process Design

Process Simulation

Python basics

Analytical thinking

Formation

Chemical Engineering degree

Outils

Pro II

Aspen Plus

AVEVA Process Simulation

Python

Description du poste

Optimization and integration of metamodels for industrial process simulations

The increasing demand for plastic materials poses two major challenges: the environmental impacts associated with plastic production and waste, and the massive use of fossil resources to produce virgin polymers. Improving the end-of-life management of plastic objects is therefore a major challenge, which relies on the three levers of the circular economy: "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle". IFPEN is committed to the development of advanced recycling processes (physical and chemical) to eliminate additives and impurities to return to a quality equivalent to virgin material.

Within this framework, the REWIND PET process aims at chemically recycling PET via depolymerization reactions. To support development and optimization, the process is simulated in commercial process simulators such as Pro II, in which reaction models have been integrated through Excel Units.

However, the integration of several «Excel Units» in complex simulations with multiple recycles significantly increases convergence time and can become a barrier to the operational use of these tools in industrial-scale studies. Therefore, it becomes essential to explore more efficient integration strategies.

New modes of integration are therefore needed to couple external reaction/metamodel calculation tools (e.g. Python-based metamodels, Cape-Open compatible components) with commercial simulators such as Pro II, as well as with next-generation tools like AVEVA Process Simulation (APS) or Aspen Plus. The objective is to preserve the predictive capability of detailed reaction models while reducing convergence times and enabling their use in complex process simulations.

Description

The aim of this internship is to develop and evaluate more efficient integration strategies for multiple metamodels in commercial process simulators, starting from the REWIND PET case. It will include:

• Analysis of the current Pro II simulation (Excel Units, recycles, convergence issues).
• Identification and quantification of bottlenecks (computation time, convergence, usability).
• Development and testing of alternative integration modes (Python calculators, Cape-Open components, APS / Aspen Plus).
• Implementation of one or more prototype solutions for the REWIND PET case.
• Comparison of the different approaches (convergence time, robustness, ease of use, maintainability, predictive quality).
• Recommendations for future metamodel integration in process simulators at IFPEN, especially for advanced plastic recycling processes.

Required profile

Chemical Engineer or Process Engineer; strong interest in Process Design and Process Simulation.

• Knowledge of at least one commercial process simulator (e.g. Pro II, Aspen Plus, AVEVA Process Simulation) and basic programming skills (e.g. Python) would be appreciated.

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)