Thermosciences

Research Line: Fluid Engineering
This research line encompasses experimental and computational simulation activities aimed at studying fundamental and applied problems involving fluid flow. Numerical simulations cover a wide range of flows using finite volume and finite element techniques, including applications from low Reynolds number flows with free surfaces to turbulent flows at high Reynolds numbers and multiphase flows. The development of turbulence models and efficient and robust computational methods is also one of the main focuses of this research line. Another area of research is the study of the rheological behavior of materials, considering their theoretical, numerical, and experimental aspects and analyzing unconventional materials, such as viscoplastic and viscoelastic fluids. Additionally, experimental and numerical research is conducted in atmospheric pollution, involving the dispersion of particulate (aerosol) and gaseous pollutants. Advanced techniques for fluid flow measurement, such as hot-wire velocimetry, laser-Doppler, and optical techniques using digital image processing of flows, are also developed and applied.
Research Line: Thermal Machines
This research line focuses on developing simulation models and conducting experimental tests of heating, cooling, air conditioning systems and components. Emphasis is placed on studying of new refrigerants, non-azeotropic mixtures, hydrocarbons and air, as well as developing high-performance heat exchangers. Applied thermal accumulation in refrigeration or heating systems is also an investigated focusing on phase change systems, such as encapsulated materials or ice slurry. The Vehicle Engineering Laboratory – LEV, conducts studies related to fuel evaluation and engine performance.
Research Line: Heat and Mass Transfer
This research line involves theoretical, numerical and experimental studies addressing fundamental and applied aspects of heat and mass transfer problems. Numerical studies on combustion models and their industrial applications are also addressed. These studies are complemented by advanced laser combustion diagnostic techniques. Professors:
Associated Laboratories
Associated Courses
MEC2124 – Continuum Thermomechanics I MEC2303 – Thermodynamics MEC2310 – Experimental Methods in Thermociences MEC2320 – Transport Phenomena MEC2322 – Heat and Mass Transfer MEC2335 – Computational Fluid Dynamics MEC2338 – Advanced Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics MEC2339 – Advanced Refrigeration System Simulation MEC2341 – Advanced Computing in Transport Phenomena MEC2343 – Solar Energy MEC2344 – Fluid Mechanics I MEC2345 – Fluid Mechanics II MEC2346 – Multiphase Flow MEC2347 – Heat Transfer I MEC2348 – Heat Transfer II MEC2349 – Atmospheric Pollution Control MEC2350 – Finite Elements in Fluids MEC2351 – Fundamentals of Atmospheric Pollution MEC2352 – Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics MEC2353 – Simulation of Refrigeration Systems MEC2354 – Thermal Accumulation MEC2355 – Turbulence MEC2356 – Heat Transfer with Phase Change MEC2357 – Internal Combustion Engines MEC2373 – Flow in Pipelines MEC2376 – Non-Newtonian Fluids in the oil Industry MEC2377 – Flow in Porous Media MEC2378 – Thermodynamic Analysis of Processes MEC2382 – Natural Gas Engineering MEC2388 – Fundamentals of Combustion
Research and development projects in this area can be accessed on the professors’ web pages.