Thesis "Modeling of a Sorptive Dry Air Supply for Battery Cell Production" in Freiburg bei Solar Energy Systems

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg is the largest solar research institute in Europe. Our approximately 1,400 employees work towards a sustainable, economical, safe and socially just energy supply system based on renewable energies. We contribute to this with our research focus on energy supply, energy distribution, energy storage and energy use. Through outstanding research results, successful industrial projects, company spin-offs and global cooperation, we are shaping the sustainable transformation of the energy system.

For our "System Integration and Energy Concepts" team, we are looking for a student assistant with the opportunity to write a Bachelor's, Diploma or Master's thesis as soon as possible.

One of our projects funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research deals with the energy-efficient production of battery cells. The aim of the project is to design a controlled production environment that surrounds the manufacturing processes with the smallest possible volume and meets both clean room and dry room requirements. In order to meet these requirements, very low residual humidity levels are required in the controlled production environment, as this would otherwise impair the future storage capacity of the battery cells. For this reason, sorption wheels are used for dehumidification, which require enormous amounts of energy to regenerate.

In order to reduce this energy consumption and thus also the carbon footprint of the batteries produced, we would like to use a numerical simulation model in Modelica/Dymola to investigate and optimize the operation and interconnection of the sorption wheels. The aim is to build on the knowledge base on open sorption at humidities down to dew points of - 30 °C and to extend this to - 80 °C.

The central challenges here will be

What you will do

• You create one or, if it seems appropriate, several related block switching models for switching options of sorption wheels in air conditioning lines for very dry air conditions

• The model(s) you have created enable a parameter study on different material characteristics, switching options and/or operating strategies, depending on which direction of investigation seems most promising in the course of the work

• Based on your approaches, you will assess which system configuration is potentially the most energy efficient

• Your tasks will also include literature research, primarily relating to scientific publications and patents on air drying using open adsorption

• During your work, you will document your research process and your results so that you can ultimately use them for your final thesis

What you bring to the table

• You are studying "Computational Modeling and Simulation", "Process Engineering", "Mechanical Engineering" or a comparable field of study, whereby you have already gained programming experience during your studies

• You also have the relevant basic knowledge and motivation for the subjects of thermodynamics and heat and mass transfer

• Previous knowledge of working with Dymola/Modelica, Matlab/Simulink or comparable simulation software is helpful, but not essential

What you can expect

• You will work for one of the most popular employers on a par with the best

• Open-minded colleagues are happy to welcome new talents into their ranks

• We offer flexible working time models and give you the opportunity to work from home at times

• We foster a cooperative working atmosphere and open communication

• We value equal opportunities and make room for diversity

• You can take part in attractive sports and health programs and after-work activities

Remuneration is based on the level of degree of the university education.

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are gi