Innovate in the sustainable recovery of tungsten thanks to the chemistry of theSolvent extraction

Participate in a national research initiative ofscope to develop the processes of new generation liquid-liquid extraction for tungsten – a critical metal at the heart of energy and digital transitions. Contribute to sustainable resource management and play a concrete role in the technologies that shape our future.

We have the pleasure ofannounce theOpening dA fully funded doctoral position within the framework of the French national research program PEPR “Sous-Ground, Common Good”. This ambitious initiative, co-piloted by the CNRS and BRGM and supported by the France 2030 plan, aims to deepen our knowledge of French subsoil in order toGuarantee sustainable and responsible use. endowed witha budget of 71.4 millionEuros over seven years, this program brings together more than 30 institutions and laboratories to explore the potential of the subsoil to support the energy transition, provide essential mineral resources and develop innovative technologies.

The doctoral student will contribute to this national effort by focusing on the development ofLiquid-liquid extraction using a new class of extracting reagents for tungsten recovery from ores. Tungsten is a critical mineral, essential for energy and digital transitions thanks to its unique properties, including its high melting point and exceptional density. These characteristics make it a key element in applications such as d technologiesrenewable energy, lelectronics or defense systems. Ensuring a sustainable and secure tungsten supply is therefore essential for the development of low-carbon technologies and digital infrastructures.

Doctoral research will focus on the synthesis of new extracting agents and theStudy of their properties vis-à-vis tungsten and associated impurities. lobjective will be didentify theThe most efficient extractant to be integrated into a liquid-liquid extraction treatment scheme. The work will include the formulation of the solvent dextraction, lAnalysis of theInfluence of the chemical structure of extractants on their properties ofextraction, preparation of new extractants, tests of the solvent on leaching solutions produced by another team as part of the PEPR, and the development ofA physico-chemical model describing the phenomena ofExtraction. This model will be integrated into the PAREX+ code developed by the CEA in order to simulate and dOptimize the process. Finally, the optimized processing scheme will be tested at theLaboratory scale at lhelp dA device of the mixer-decanter type, to produce a purified tungsten solution. Throughout the project, particular attention will be paid to reducing the consumption of reagents andenergy, the limitation of the effluents generated, as well asat the overall cost of the process.

This thesis represents a unique opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in a multidisciplinary and collaborative environment, while contributing to the sustainable management of subsoil resources andrise of the critical technologies of tomorrow.

Scientific environment and working conditions
The doctoral student will be based in Nancy, a historic and dynamic city of theEast of France, recognized for its rich cultural heritage and its stimulating academic environment. The research work will be carried out in two laboratories of theUniversity of Lorraine: the reactions and process engineering laboratory (LRGP) and the Georessources laboratory.