Defense of Charles Guaquiere (Mechanical Department)

Air quality is a crucial public health issue in major metropolises, as human activities become increasingly polluting. According to the WHO, by lowering air pollution levels, countries can reduce the burden of disease attributable to stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory infections. Rail transport is rightly considered to be a sustainable mobility solution with low greenhouse gas impact and a low contributor to air pollutant emissions. Nevertheless, a number of studies show that pollutant concentrations in underground rail enclosures are cause for concern. In some cases, concentrations of fine particles can be ten times higher indoors than outdoors. In this context, the reduction or mitigation of emission sources linked to braking, the main contributor in the rail sector, represents a major challenge for people's health.

This thesis takes place within the framework of the BREAQ (BRaking Emissions characterisation and mitigation for Air Quality improvement) project, run jointly by ALSTOM, the ADEME and several research organizations. The aim of this project is to reduce braking particle emissions at source, and to predict the diffusion of these particles in the environment in order to develop efficient capture solutions.

In this context, the aim of the study is to develop and implement a CFD numerical method capable of modeling flows loaded with particles from rail braking in order to predict the diffusion of these particles in the nearby environment.

Rapporteurs:

• PATTE-ROULAND Béatrice, Professeur des Universités, Normandie Université, Rouen (CORIA UMR 6614)
• HARION Jean-Luc, University Professor, IMT Nord Europe CERI MP, Douai (LGCgE)

Examiners:

• KHELLADI Sofiane, Professeur des Universités, Ecole nationale supérieure des Arts et Métiers, ENSAM, Paris (LIFSE)
• DBOUK Talib, Professeur des Universités, Normandie Université, Rouen (CORIA UMR 6614)
• PAJOT Karine, Doctor, Engineer, Alstom, Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine

Thesis supervisor:

• KEIRSBULCK Laurent, University Professor, Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, Valenciennes (LAMIH UMR 8201)

Co-supervisors:

• BEAUBERT François, Maitre de conférences, Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, Valenciennes (LAMIH UMR 8201)
• UYSTEPRUYST David, Associate Professor, Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, Valenciennes (LAMIH UMR 8201)

Guest:

• BENAZZOUZ Tewfik, Doctor, Engineer, Alstom, Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine.