Institution news
Q: Could you briefly explain your role and involvement in thermal engineering?
George Corfield (GC): As the SMTC-UK Engine Technology Senior Manager, I’m responsible for evaluating future technologies and developing those chosen to Application Ready status for mainstream production programmes. As improved engine thermal efficiency is one of our goals thermal technologies become ever more prevalent therefore a large proportion of our projects are thermal based.
Q: In your experience, what is the number one challenge facing engineers specialising in thermal management and the associated sectors?
GC: The integration of an ever expanding number of thermal systems within passenger vehicles is adding to system complexity. This requires increasingly complex simulation methods to arrive at the optimal solution.
Q: What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in the industry in general?
GC: In recent years there have been great advances in the thermal management of combustion chambers to optimise combustion performance for increases in specific output, efficiency and to reduce emissions. From priority cooling to top down cooling configurations, developments in this field are taking place at a very fast pace.
Q: What do you see for the future of thermal engineering over the next five to ten years?
GC: As emissions legislation becomes ever more stringent, OEMs will be forced to search for marginal gains and improvements in thermal efficiency increasing the need more innovative thermal management solutions.
Q: What are you most looking forward to by attending and presenting at the Thermal Engineering for Transport seminar?
GC: Having the opportunity to openly share and discuss the latest developments in the thermal sector, both within the automotive and wider transport arena.
Find out more
George will be speaking at the Thermal Engineering for Transport: Design, Measurement and Optimisation seminar on 13 June 2018 in Birmingham. Join him and other experts from Airbus, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Boeing Research and Technology, Alstom, Ricardo UK and more.
Key programme highlights:
- Jaguar Land Rover discuss the role of thermal energy management in reducing automotive energy consumption
- Airbus reveal how their engineers are implementing novel integration of models for aircraft thermal assessment
- Alstom discuss thermal management of a power car for high speed rail operations
- Ricardo UK explore the thermal considerations in system design around electric automotive components
- SAIC Motor UK share methods of maximising direct exhaust heat recovery.
To find out more, visit the Thermal Engineering for Transport: Design, Measurement and Optimisation.