Projects / Programmes
January 1, 2014
- December 31, 2016
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.03.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Energy engineering |
|
| 2.13.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Process engineering |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T140 |
Technological sciences |
Energy research |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.03 |
Engineering and Technology |
Mechanical engineering |
Researchers (21)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Objectives of the Research Programme (RP) Power Engineering are focused on holistic research activities in the field of Sustainable energy management. Vision of the RP is the development of innovative basic and applied scientific contributions and their implementation into industrial and/or socially beneficial projects. Consistent fulfillment of our vision is also confirmed through previous references of the RP, which clearly highlight very active original scientific activity and its effective implementation in the industrial projects with the aim to increase added value of the products (A1: 19,02 [number of points: A1: 5705; A': 2534; A'': 516] and A3: 48,34). Scientific contributions of the RP are largely implemented in products of national companies, while simultaneously researches of the RP also participate in numerous EU funded projects and cooperate directly with leading international companies. This again confirms successful research activity and industrial implementation of original scientific contributions (detailed data are available in items 21. and 22. of this proposal and in Report on results of the research programme for the period 2009-2013).
Research activities in the field of Sustainable energy management are organized in three interrelated Work Packages (WP):
· Simulation and modeling,
· Innovative experimental methods and
· Enhanced efficiency of devices and systems and reduced emissions of pollutants.
WPs Simulation and modeling and Innovative experimental methods comprise development of innovative models, tools and methodologies, which are enablers for innovative research in the WP Enhanced efficiency of devices and systems and reduced emissions of pollutants. These three WPs ensure complementarity and comprehensiveness of the research in the field of Sustainable energy management. In addition, it is also very important that within all three WPs RP Power Engineering develops innovative scientific contributions and implements them into the industrial and/or socially beneficial projects. Therefore, within WPs only those Tasks (T), which feature clear objective, innovative contribution and usability as well as relevance of the results, will be presented. Certainly research activities of the RP cover also many others specific areas, which feature either high scientific or high applied significance.
RP will be executed in three interrelated research groups: Laboratory for water turbine machines (LVTS), Laboratory for internal combustion engines (LTBS) and Laboratory for heat and power (LTE). RP aims to promote a balanced interdisciplinary research approach, which relies on synergies among different WPs and ensures open exchange of ideas and practices in the research and accompanying teaching area. This organization structure forms a solid basis for achieving the vision in the field of Sustainable energy management.
Significance for science
In the field of development of simulation models, an innovative physically based model for real-time simulations of internal combustion engines was developed. This model also complies with all requirements for execution on HiL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) platforms. This worldwide unique approach was also implemented in the professional software tool for modeling vehicle dynamics licensed by the major vendor of system level tools AVL List GmbH. Prof. dr. Tomaž Katrašnik received for this innovative modeling framework an international patent and an award for Top 10 research achievement of University of Ljubljana in 2016. In the field of fuel cell modeling, a 3D hybrid analytic-numerical modeling framework for species transport in fuel cells was developed. The innovative idea behind the approach arises from coupling 1D numerical solution along the channel with 2D analytical solution in the plane perpendicular to the flow direction in the channel. This is the first model that features full 3D resolution and computational times characteristic for 1D models. Additionally, an innovative physically based liquid water transport model was developed for modeling PEMs. It is characterized by very low requirements on computational resources and enables achieving high accuracy of results in operating conditions with the presence of liquid water. In the field of alternative waste-to-energy fuels, we have demonstrated foremost results of a successful combustion of an innovative biofuel produced by liquefying lignocellulosic waste in the multifunctional alcohols. In the field of modeling of smart-grids with CHP systems and hydrogen technologies, we have developed original "A decision-making method of five steps", which enables to solve general problems of the energy (electricity and heat) and hydrogen supply in the island networks or systems with a large share of RES. It has been developed and mathematically formulated an original method for managing the entire energy network by matrix principle, the usefulness of which has been verified in test cases. In the area of wastewater treatment we developed and patented a machine which combines functionality of a pump with a wastewater treatment function. Wastewater treatment is based on generation of hydrodynamic cavitation at the rotor edge. In the propulsive area of mechanical wastewater treatment our approach presents an original and competitive solution suitable for various technological and environmental processes. As a part of our research we examined several conventional and alternative methods for treatment of wastewater, contaminated with active pharmaceutic substances. Five active components were chosen: clofibric acid, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, carbamazepine and diclofenac. Also the effectiveness of two different biological processes (a suspension of activated sludge and growth of attached biomass) was tested in a laboratory environment. For this purpose several combinations of hydrodynamic cavitation, hydrogen peroxide and UV radiation were used. In all cases the developed cavitation method was found to be extremely effective. Considering appropriate conditions and operating parameters of hydrodynamic cavitation we believe that the method can be applied to a broad range of processes covering wastewater treatment and preparation of technological water. As another part of the program the ADM-flow method was developed. This experimental method is used to diagnose velocity fields of single or multiphase flows. Contrary to other available methods (e.g., PIV) the originality of the ADM-flow method comes from its base which is the advection-diffusion equation which enables continuous monitoring of velocity fields. By introducing additional constitutional relationships the functionality of the method was extended to diagnose pressure distribution in the case of hydrodynamic cavitation. This represents a novelty in experimental modeling of fluid dynamics.
Significance for the country
Our Research Programme (RP) has significant direct and indirect impact on the economic, scientific and social development of Republic of Slovenia. Direct impact arises from the RP vision based on the development of innovative (basic and applied) scientific contributions and their implementation into industrial and socially beneficial projects. Fulfillment of our vision has been confirmed through very efficient implementation of scientific contributions in industrial projects, which is proven first by a very high A3 score of the RP and secondly by a large number of implemented scientific contributions that increase or have significant potential to increase product added value of our Slovenian industrial partners. Through RP our research group was able to cooperated with vast majority of Slovenian companies from the field of mechanical engineering and related fields. Moreover, we cooperated with many foreign companies on the basis of direct contracts. Below some of our Slovene partners are listed: -Kolektor d.o.o.- Developed hydrodynamic cavitation method will be included in the production portfolio of the company. -Hidria d.o.o.- a) Continuous cooperation on development of new families of axial ventilators with the focus on reduced emission of noise. Experimental methods that were developed in the framework of this cooperation form the basis for the tool based on the ADM-flow method. b) Research in the area of closed-loop combustion control of internal combustion engines aimed at enhancing efficiency and environmental sustainability of engines with the objective to increase the added value of the product portfolio of the company. -Plinovodi d.o.o. We are driving main development of models and software tools for risk assessment in Slovene natural gas pipeline network. Software tolls developed within this cooperation are ready for worldwide marketing. -Gorenje d.o.o.- Cooperation comprises entire development process of washing and drying machines, heat pumps and refrigerators. -Turboinštitut d.o.o. Cooperation comprises experimental modeling and specific field services related to hydrodynamic measurements over a broad range of temporal and spatial scales. -TEŠ d.o.o. and Energetika Ljubljana d.o.o. Continuous cooperation of the program group in the area of performance tests of the power plant and system components, numerical analyzes of heat- and mass balances and process optimization. -NEK d.o.o. Continuous cooperation of the program group in the authorized control during maintenance works and performance tests of the power plant and system components, numerical analyzes of heat- and mass balances and process optimization. -Alstom Boiler Deutschland GmbH, a subsidiary in Slovenia Program group performs technical advisory services for commissioning of the main technological equipment. -LPP d.o.o. Cooperation on the projects for reducing exhaust emission of the city transport. -GGP d.o.o. Cooperation on the projects in the field of sustainable use of lignocellulosic waste for generation of electric energy and heat aimed at development of the cogeneration plant utilizing innovative environmentally friendly fuel. Indirect impact on the economic, scientific and social development of Republic of Slovenia originates from successful integration of research activities into the undergraduate and graduate courses (from 2013 to 2016 we supervised 113 BSc and MSc thesis, one scientific MSc and 15 PhD thesis). Curricula are upgraded to enhance global completeness of the students and thus of their domestic and foreign employers. Moreover, through Undergraduate, Master and PhD theses, students directly solve highly technological problems from the industry. This significantly increases their qualifications and employment options in the industry.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
