Contact

Dr. Sebastian Unger

Head Thermal Energy and Process Technology
s.ungerhzdr.de
Phone: +49 351 260 3225

Jessica Wilhelm

Secretary FWDU/FWDU
Thermal Energy and Process Technology
j.wilhelmhzdr.de
Phone: +49 351 260 3460

Thermal Energy and Process Technology

Efficient thermal energy and separation processes make a decisive contribution to energy supply and energy consumption worldwide. Research into innovative approaches to energy generation using supercritical CO₂ as a working medium as well as energy-optimised phase contacting and reducing the size of separation equipment are of crucial importance for resource-saving energy generation and use.

Foto: Carbosola power cycle ©Copyright: Dr. Sebastian Unger

Supercritical CO₂ power cycles for efficient heat utilization

Carbon dioxide above the critical point (31°C, 73.8 bar) has a number of advantages when used in thermodynamic cycle processes. These cyclic processes achieve higher efficiencies and a significant reduction in the size and complexity of the individual components. This enables the more efficient utilisation of industrial (waste heat), geothermal and solar heat sources as well as thermal energy storage systems.

Efficient thermal separation processes

Thermal separation processes such as rectification, distillation, absorption, desorption and extraction are central unit operations in chemical process industries. The vapor-liquid separation processes are very energy-intensive, since they involve multiple sequences of evaporation and condensation.

Foto: CO2 storage and power cycle system ©Copyright: Dr. Stefan Fogel

System analysis

System analysis in process engineering involves evaluating how different components within a process interact dynamically to achieve efficient and reliable operation. In addition, system analyses serve to determine the economic efficiency and sustainability of technical-chemical processes for different operating scenarios and production environments.

Thermohydraulic Nuclear Safety Research

Flow phenomena in two-phase flows play a crucial role in the safety of nuclear reactor systems. To validate simulation codes under industry-relevant boundary conditions, experimental facilities have been established at the Institute of Fluid Dynamics. These setups enable detailed flow investigations using advanced and innovative measurement techniques.

Foto: Microscale ©Copyright: Dr. Wei Ding

Nano- and Micro scale modelling

We perform nano/micro-scale modeling of fluid dynamics and mass transport in phase change processes involving solid walls.