Projects / Programmes
Research in Power, Process, and Environmental Engineering
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.13.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Process engineering |
|
| 1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
| 2.03.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Energy engineering |
|
| 2.05.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Mechanics |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T140 |
Technological sciences |
Energy research |
Process engineering, power engineering, environmental engineering, transport phenomena, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mass transfer, reacting flows, hydraulics, thermodynamics, combustion, waste management
Researchers (27)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
In the area of power, process, and environmental engineering the group will develop basic and applied research in the area of fluid mechancs, heat and mass transfer. Within the framework of this fundamental task the group wishes to engage in deeper understanding of theoretical and applied fluid mechanics, and heat and mass transfer taking advantage of numerical and physical experiments in the area of transport phenomena in fluids and solids, and further understanding of applied fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer in the area of heat engines, turbines, process engineering, and environmental engineering. The fundamental viewpoint of this research is common physical base of problems as described by mathemarical relations which are later solved taking advantage of various methods, either analytical, numerical, or experimental. The fundamental part of research program will be used by team members to advance their particular knowledge used for undertaking applied research earmarked also for those who wish to use them for commercial purposes.
Significance for science
It is tantamount for success of scientific development that modern tools can be utilized efficiently in order to connect theory with research practice. We claim to have succeeded with the following emphasis: (a) First example of successful development of boundary element methods for numerical simulation of turbulent flow based on large eddy simulation. In this part the velocity-vorticity formulation of filtered Navier-Stokes equations was carried out (base for LES computational algorithm). The computational algorithm is based around innovative combination of boundary element method used for calculation of flow kinematics and boundary vorticity, and finite element method used for flow kinetics. The developed computational method is also suitable for extension in the area of 3D low as well as extension into multiphase flows. (b) Movement of flocs in suspensions, as they appear in biological wastewater treatment plants was studied. A special attention in experimental research is given to the geometrical and sedimentation characteristics of solid flocs, key parameters for developing a fast numerical procedure for simulating flocs’ movements. An extensive analysis regarding the floc shape, size distribution of primary particles and flocs, porosity of flocs and permeability, and density of flocs is presented. (c) Studiy of influence of biodiesel on the injection, spray, and engine characteristics with the aim to reduce harmful emissions. The considered engine is a bus diesel engine with injection M system. The injection, fuel spray, and engine characteristics, obtained with biodiesel, are compared to those obtained with mineral diesel under various operating regimes. The considered fuel is neat biodiesel from rapeseed oil. The obtained results are used to analyze the most important injection, fuel spray, and engine characteristics. The results indicate that, by using biodiesel, harmful emissions (NOx, CO, smoke, and HC) can be reduced to some extent by adjusting the injection pump timing properly. (d) problem of double diffusive natural convection with Boundary Domain Integral Method is considered. The governing equations are properly transformed and solved with use of programme package BEEAS, Boundary Element Engineering Analysing System, where the existing code is completed for the case of porous media. The derived numerical algorithm is tested for the case of double diffusive natural convection for several different geometries and boundary conditions. Of course other scientific work was as important, the above referenced works were only highlights of the results.
Significance for the country
The development of Slovenian industry, science as well as application in the area of transfer phenomena is not connected exclusively to the engineering problems, dissemination of the results may be equally important. To that goal the group partook in publication in International Journal of Dynamics of Fluids with prof.dr. Leopold Škerget as Editor-in-Chief and associate editors prof.dr. Matjaž Hriberšek and Associate professor dr. Jure Marn. Having opportunity to edit this Journal Slovenian research gained possibility to shape to some extent research direction in fluid mechanics and heat transfer, and have direct access to accomplished reviewers in the field. In addition, the international conference “Alternative fuels 2008” was held on January 10-11, 2008 at the hotel Piramida in Maribor. The conference was attended by more then 60 researchers and experts from industry and research institutions from England, Spain, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Slovenia. The goal of the conference was to bring together people from a variety of disciplines in order to promote modern technology, necessary to support the environment-friendly and sustainable development of our society. The main focus was to enhance research collaboration and knowledge transfer between research institutions and industry. Further, the group started to transfer the knowledge into bio-technological field as natural upgrade of scientific and engineering results.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
