Thermofluids

Computational fluid dynamics

We make extensive use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) both in terms of method development and application. Our team comprises one of the largest groups of this expertise in the country, spanning multiple disciplines.

Many of the CFD codes used around the work have significantly benefited from developments from this group. Our staff continue to actively contribute to a wide range of software and techniques.

One of the highlights in this area is our work on the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM), which is increasingly widely used in industry due to its geometrical flexibility and the ease with which multi physics effects can be included. Other methods include industrial finite volume methods, smoothed particle hydrodynamics and spectral codes. For more information see our Modelling and Simulation Centre.

Our applications span aerodynamics, bioengineering flows, microfluidics, thermo-fluids, fluid-structure interactions and multi-phase flows.

Nuclear thermal hydraulics

This is an on-going research area that has attracted funding from EDF-Energy, BEIS, EPSRC, Westinghouse and Rolls-Royce. The team of academics working on this topic have developed modelling and experimental expertise over a uniquely, for the UK, wide range of nuclear-related topics. These include reactor core cooling, passive cooling loops, thermal transients, melting and solidification in liquid metal cooled reactors, flow-induced vibration of fuel rods, flow accelerated corrosion and boiling and condensation heat transfer.

The team plays a leading role in the UK Special Interest Group in Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics.

Solar energy

This is a recent research initiative, developed through international collaborations, in which members of the group have directed their unparalleled expertise in heat transfer and passive cooling modelling to solar energy applications.

One focus of the team’s research activities is the passive cooling of PV panels in hot climates, to improve efficiency and resilience. For land-based panels the group has explored the use of a combination phase changing materials and metallic fins. For the increasingly adopted floating PV panels, the team has pioneered the use of passive cooling loops and demonstrated their effectiveness through a multi-physics modelling approach.

The team is also addressing the global challenge of fresh water supply, by developing novel solar-energy-based water desalination systems.

Turbulence mechanics

Following in the footsteps of the pioneering work of Professor Osborne Reynolds, our group has a strong heritage in the study of turbulent flow, both experimentally and numerically.

Our work spans theoretical developments and basic models to techniques for full-scale direct simulation and is closely tied to our work on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). We study the physics of turbulence alone and in a vast array of scenarios involving different physical mechanisms including aerodynamics, magnetohydrodynamics, atmospheric flow and blood flow, to name a few.

The models and methods developed by our academics have enjoyed global impact for the past 45 years. Almost all CFD software available today will have been impacted by these developments, one way or another.

For more information see our Modelling and Simulation Centre.

Zero carbon systems

Research activities in this area are both experimental and computational, aimed at meeting the challenge of transitioning to the net zero economy. These activities have attracted EPSRC funding and have led to collaborations with other UK universities.

The experimental activities aim at developing compressed air energy storage and waste heat recovery systems.

The computational modelling activities have resulted in considerable progress in the modelling of hydrogen combustion.