François Maréchal
Adjunct Professor, SCI STI FM Group

Fields of expertise

Process integration Process design Energy conversion and process modeling Rational Use of Energy Thermoeconomic optimisation Renewable Energy

Mission

Teaching and research in the field of computer aided process and energy conversion systems analysis and synthesis. Application of computer based methods for the analysis, the design and the optimisation of industrial processes and efficient energy conversion systems.

Major research topics

 Process integration techniques, exergy analysis, process modelling and thermo-economic optimisation. Process synthesis methodologies, application and development of computer aided process engineering methods : data reconciliation, simulation, process integration, mixed integer linear and non linear programming, multi-objective optimisation.

Research goals : Integrated processes and energy conversion systems that integrate renewable energy resources and that supply multiple energy services are a key issue for our energy future. The development of advanced computer aided methodologies combining thermodynamics and optimisation techniques will help engineers in the development of more efficient and more sustainable processes and energy conversion systems that will supply the energy for the future generations.

Major teaching activities

Advanced energetics (process integration), exergy analysis, process optimisation and modelling, energy audits and energy conversion systems for masters in mechanical and electrical engineering, engineers in physics, energy and electrical engineering postgraduate programs and doctoral school.

Teaching goals : computer aided project based teaching improves teaching efficiency and allow to bridge the gap between teaching and research activities. By this concept, the student acquire a better know-how that is afterwards valorized in the research activities as well as in their professional life

Biography

Ph D. in engineering– Chemical process engineer Researcher and lecturer in the field of computer aided process and energy systems engineering. Lecturer in the mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and environmental sciences engineering in EPFL. I'm responsible for the Minor in Energy of EPFL and I'm involved in 3 projects of the Competence Center in Energy and Mobility (2nd generation biofuel, Wood SOFC, and gas turbine development with CO2 mitigation) in which i'm contributing to the energy conversion system design and optimisation.