Thermofluids and energy technology
Fluid mechanics, heat transfer and combustion research, with applications in energy technology.
The research group led by prof. Armin Wehrfritz applies computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation to study multiphase and chemically reacting flows with applications, e.g., in energy technology and transport, among others.
Ongoing projects are concerned with understanding the fluid dynamic and heat transfer processes required in storage applications, such as heat exchangers, for cryogenic hydrogen and other liquid fuels such as ammonia or LNG. This furthermore includes investigations of hydrogen injection in internal combustion engines, and their complex thermodynamic properties. Another aspect deals with catalytic decomposition of ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen. The latest project is then concerned with a novel engine concept, the argon power cycle, which holds promise of unprecedented thermal energy conversion efficiencies of up to 85%.
The common theme in all activities is high-fidelity numerical simulation using the national supercomputing facilities at CSC – Finnish Information Technology Center.
Heatmetry
The computational work is complemented with experimental research activities led by Dr. Andrey Mityakov, which focus on heat transfer and direct heat flux measurement.
A central topic is the development and application of transverse heat flux sensors (THFS) and the heatmetry methodology, which enable direct, local, and time-resolved heat flux measurements without relying on temperature gradients. These methods are applied to a wide range of problems in energy technology, including combustion systems, boiling and quenching processes, thermal spray coatings, and industrial heat transfer equipment.
The overall aim is to improve the understanding and control of heat transfer processes in energy conversion and thermal systems.
Research projects
The HaMAr project aims at improving the fundamental understanding of the flow physics and reaction chemistry in next-generation combustion engines operated on the argon power cycle (APC), a novel power cycle with unprecedented conversion efficiency (potentially up to 85% thermal efficiency).
This joint research project is let by UTU together with Aalto University, where the work at UTU is focused on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation.
https://research.fi/en/results/funding/83149
The primary aim of the AINA project is to enhance social acceptance for ammonia as an energy carrier in industry and transportation by obtaining scientific-based knowledge and provide proof-of-concept of its applications at scale.
The research is carried out in collaboration with Aalto University, University of Vaasa, Åbo Akademi, VTT, and six industry partners. The work at UTU comprises a history perspective on the social acceptance of new fuels, regulatory aspects around ammonia and hydrogen as a fuel, as well as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the catalytic decomposition of ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen.
The aim of the HENNES research project is to obtain science-based knowledge on the physics and chemistry of hydrogen combustion, with a particular focus on enabling zero-emission marine technologies.
This research project is a collaboration between UTU, Aalto University and eight industry partners, where the work at UTU is focused on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of phase-change and fuel injection processes.
