Similitude analysis of chemo-mechanical phenomena in CO2 geological sequestration

Ecole Centrale de Nantes; France; Sur place; EUR 20 000 - 40 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading engineering institution in France is offering an internship position in experimental research focusing on CO2 geological sequestration under the LOCCO project. Candidates should be enrolled master students in relevant fields and possess good English skills. The position is funded at approximately 4.35 €/hour, for 35 hours a week, starting on 23rd February 2026.

Qualifications

• Enrolled master student in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Environmental Sciences.

Responsabilités

• Conduct laboratory scale tests on calcite inclusions.
• Investigate diffusivity phenomena at the geological reservoir interface.
• Characterize the effect of H+ cation diffusion.

Connaissances

Experimental applied research interest

Civil Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Environmental Sciences

Formation

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Ecole Centrale de Nantes Department Civil Engineering Research Field Engineering » Civil engineering Engineering » Geological engineering Environmental science » Water science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Country France Application Deadline 31 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 23 Feb 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

According to The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) AR6 synthesis report 2023, the global modelled pathways that limit global warming to 2°C or below depend on almost all electricity being supplied from net-zero or low-carbon sources by 2050. These sources include renewables or fossil fuels accompanied CO2 capture and storage (CCS). CCS in deep geological formations has consequently emerged as an important option to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and CCS facilities are continuing to grow in Europe. The current internship subject is part of the larger project LOCCO “hydro-chemo-mechanical LOCalization phenomena in CO2 geological sequestration” financed by ANR (Agènce Nationale de la Recherche) in France which aims at releasing scientific bottlenecks in this domain. The target is to increase the knowledge pool on the interaction between the CO2 injected in geological storage reservoir (aquifer rock) and the surrounding rock (caprock), where the latter should act as sealing barrier to the CO2 migration and leakage, thus guaranteeing long-term storage security.
It is well known that the injected CO2 creates an acidic solution by dissolving in brine saturating the aquifer rock. Such solution could be subject to diffusion and percolation through the sealing caprock and potentially reacts with the mineral inclusions (Calcite among others) causing local dissolution of the caprock. Significant modification of mechanical (stiffness and strength characteristics) and hydraulic properties (permeability) could be observed depending on the level of mechanical confinement.
While few experiments are available in the literature, the main goal of this internship project is to work on suitable similarity laws that allow to investigate diffusivity phenomena occurring at the interface between the aquifer and the caprock, at the scale of the geological reservoir. Laboratory scale tests, developed on prototype clay matrix with Calcite inclusions, will be carried out under much lower mechanical confinement than the in‑situ stress in a caprock to characterize the effect of H+ cation diffusion. Progressive dissolution of Calcite inclusions is expected to occur. The purpose of the internship research is to get an estimate of Calcite dissolution rate. This result will be achieved identifying similitude conditions between the prototype and the model problem (the one tested at the laboratory scale) on the basis of suitable dimensionless numbers. A minimal experimental setup will be designed and realized for this purpose. Preliminary measure of diffusivity coefficient through pure water and through water saturated Clayey media will also be realized in order to get an estimate of the characteristic time of the diffusion processes.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Engineering » Civil engineering Education Level Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

We are looking for an enrolled master student in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Environmental Sciences being interested in experimental applied research activities.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Engineering » Civil engineeringEngineering » Mechanical engineering

Additional Information

Fund: 4,35 €/hour (approx. 600€/month) from 23rd February to 31th August 2025

Shortlisted candidates will be asked for an interview.

Additional comments

In the framework of the above mentioned LOCCO ANR project a PhD offer will be available, on a similar subject, starting from September 2025.