Thermal Energy Systems and Biomass Utilisation

In cooperative research projects, combustion simulations of melting and annealing furnaces are carried out and the heat management of different systems is investigated by using numerical methods. The numerical simulations are performed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Finite Element Methods (FEM) and Lattice-Boltzmann Methods (LBM).

Test bench and flare biomass gasifier

In joint research projects, combustion simulations of melting and annealing furnaces are carried out and the thermal management of different systems is investigated using numerical simulation methods. The numerical simulations are carried out using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Finite Element Methods (FEM) and Lattice-Boltzmann Methods (LBM).

Finite Elements Method (FEM)
Lattice-Boltzmann method (LMB) for porous media and high-temperature processes

R&D focus

  • Thermal characterization of industrial furnaces with multiphase flows
CFD simulation of the combustion process and particle movement
  • CFD-supported burner and process optimization
Cleft formation
  • CFD combustion simulation of solid-laden gas flows
  • Investigation of particle/fluid interaction in industrial furnaces
Gas temperature in the furnace
  • Numerical investigation of scale formation on metallic materials in industrial reheating furnaces
Flood simulation
  • Numerical modelling of gas/solid interactions in high-temperature applications using coupled CFD/FEM simulations
  • Development of efficient cooling processes of metallic components after heat treatment (experimental and numerical research and development)
Flame of a 50kW oxyfuel firing system with different fuels (10x slow motion)
  • Experimental investigation of combustion of low-calorific fuels with pure oxygen
  • Experimental development of a heat recovery system for oxy-fuel plants by means of internal reforming of the fuel
Steam sterilization
  • CFD simulations of steam sterilization processes
  • Numerical investigation of next generation steam sterilizers
  • CFD investigations of the sterilization process of medical devices
  • Development of the reliability- and durability diagnosis tools for solid oxide fuel and electrolysis cells
  • Degradation monitoring and performance optimization of high temperature electrolysers
Glowing housing of an SOFC
  • Reversible solid oxide cells for electrochemical energy conversion and energy storage
  • Experimental characterization and evaluation of special fuels (such as: ammonia, wood synthesis gas, biogas, diesel, ethanol, ...) for application in solid oxide fuel cells
  • Electrochemical characterization and performance assessment of SOC stacks in reversible operation
  • Industrial hydrogen combustion systems
  • Decarbonisation of combustion systems through hydrogen enrichment
  • Reduction of oxidation rates of metallic components in heat treatment furnaces
  • Determination of scale formation of metallic components in heat treatment furnaces for different fuels such as hydrogen, natural gas, ammonia, substitute fuels
Flash gasification/combustion experiments (FlashPhos)
  • CFD simulations in the field of phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge, e.g. combustion simulations and reactor optimizations

Infrastructure

Fuel cell laboratory

General test rigs:

  • Mechanical & electrical workshop
  • Chemical laboratory
  • Fuel cell laboratory
  • Reforming test rig
  • Burning chamber with chimney (up to 1,2 MW)
  • Central heat sink (water re-cooling system up to 5 MW)
  • Several (mobile ) heat sink & heat source systems
  • Climatic chamber (-20 to +40°C)
  • Vehicle air-conditioning test bench
  • Absorption heat pump system
Burner test rig
  • Furnace for all relevant liquid fuels (heating oil EL and S, slurries, sewage sludge)
Combustion chamber
  • Furnaces for all relevant gaseous fuels (e.g. hydrogen, natural gas) and all relevant oxidifiers (e.g. pure oxygen, air) suitable for combustion tests, heat treatment of components (up to approx. 1300°C), burner development and investigation of fuel mixtures (esp. Hydrogen-natural gas mixtures)
Burner test (NG/Air - 140 kW)

Measurement Technology

Fuel Cell Laboratory

 Measurement equipment:

  • All typical sensors required for flow rate, pressure, humidity, temperature, etc.
FID
  • Flame ionization detector (FID)
Product gas analysis
  • Gas analyzer (GA)
  • Gas chromatograph (GC)
  • Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR)
Contact
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Division
Thermal Energy Systems and Biomass

Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
Christoph Hochenauer

Office
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Mo-Fr: 09:00-12:00 Uhr
Raum: MB05 010 (5.OG)
Tel.: +43-316-873-7301
Fax: +43-316-873-7305

office.iwtnoSpam@tugraz.at