Thermofluids Research Group

The Thermofluids Group in the Wolfson School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering is engaged in a broad range of subject disciplines in thermodynamics and fluid dynamics, heat transfer and combustion, with a strong emphasis on the application of computational modelling and advanced optical diagnostic methods.  We conduct research in a range of industrially and environmentally relevant projects associated principally with the automotive, internal combustion engine, power and medical industries.

The Group has excellent optical diagnostics and CFD modelling laboratories for the study of thermofluid problems.  Facilities include an IC Engine Powertrain Laboratory (shared with Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering) comprising 8 engine test cells emissions analysers; steady-state and fully transient dynamometers; multi-cylinder and optically accessed engines.

We have strong partnerships with a wide range of industrial and research organisations, which include currently: Caterpillar, DERA, EPSRC, ETI, Ford, Hardstaff, Jaguar Land Rover, Lotus, Perkins Engines and the Technology Strategy Board.

Current research

• Dr Andrew Clarke: Thermodynamics; Heat transfer; IC engines; Combustion and emissions modelling; Duel-fuel engine combustion; Micro-gravity combustion.

• Dr Martin Davy: Fluid mechanics; Combustion; IC engines; Optical diagnostics techniques, including Laser induced fluorescence (LIF); fuel sprays.

• Professor Colin Garner: Thermodynamics; Heat transfer; IC engine fluid flow, combustion, fuel injection, emissions control systems and turbocharging.  Energy systems.

• Professor Graham Hargrave: Application of optical diagnostic techniques to fluid flow and combustion research, including: High speed digital imaging; Laser induced fluorescence (LIF); Coherent anti-stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS); and digital, two-colour and stereo particle image velocimetry (PIV).

• Professor Weeratunge Malalasekera: Radiative heat transfer; Computational fluid dynamics (CFD); Large Eddy Simulation (LES); Combustion modelling.

• Dr Joanna Szmelter: Numerical methods development; Advanced engineering and physics applications; Aerodynamics and fluid-structure interaction; Ballistics; Modelling of environmental flows.

• Henk Versteeg: Computational fluid dynamics(CFD); Pharmaceutical aerosols and inhalers; Biological fluid flows; Radiative heat transfer.

• Dr Andy Williams: Thermodynamics; Fluid mechanics; Heat Transfer; Energy systems; IC engines; Exhaust after-treatment systems; Turbocharging; Plasma engineering.
  

The work of the Group is further supported by

• Doug Taylor, FREng, Visiting Professor in Thermofluids
• Dr Gordon McTaggart-Cowan, Visiting Fellow.