Thermofluids

Thermofluids is the science of fluids flows, particularly including energy content and its transport in such flows. The topic is comprised of two primary sections, namely Thermodynamics and Fluid Dynamics.

Thermodynamics is about the flow or conversion of heat energy into other forms. Fluid Dynamics is the study of how fluids move and the forces on them. It is mathematically a complex subject, but huge progress is being made in numerical techniques and modelling which are referred to by a generic title-Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).

The vital complementary discipline is Instrumentation where important developments are being made in high response miniature probes and non-intrusive optical techniques such as Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV).

The Thermofluids Group has a broad area of interest in the engineering science of energy transfer processes, engineering thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics. The following key technologies will form the main themes of the group activities, although the group will not be limited to these areas:

• Fluid mechanics of energy transfer processes
• Fluid mechanics of turbomachinery
• Computational fluid dynamics
• Heat exchange systems
• Measurement of heat and flow
• Thermodynamic cycle developments (eg CCGT)
• Emissions