research Highlight
Our research
In TECS lab, we are actively working on thermal energy conversion systems. The key research areas include heat pumps (mechanical & chemical), heat engines (ORCs), evaporative coolers (M-cycle) and desalination (thermal) systems.
We develop and investigate adsorbent materials (activated carbon & composites), thermophysical properties, adsorption isotherms & kinetics, thermodynamic models and system simulation of adsorption heat pumps.
For mechanical vapour compression systems, we measure the thermophysical properties of NEXT-generation refrigerants (being members of NRXT-RP center, I2CNER), conduct cycle performance and the equation of state (EOS). We conduct experiments on the solubility of refrigerants in the lubricant oil in the MVC system together with the solubility model development.
Indirect evaporative cooling systems are getting attention for high performance air-conditioning systems. Indirect evaporative cooling system (M-cycle or heat & mass exchangers) are one of our main research focuses. We established a strong collaboration with the inventor of the cycle, Prof. Maisotsenko and researchers from NUS and Oxford.
Adsorption desalination is highly regarded as an emerging desalination technology and our laboratory has established as the pioneer in this area. Members from our laboratory invented/introduced several novel adsorption systems for improved performance. We thrive to develop better AD cycles.
Another research area we are active is the organic Rankine cycle (ORC). Our laboratory investigates the heat transfer characteristics of various working fluids (mixtures) in the evaporator/boiler of the ORC system. Interesting stuffs on ORCs are going on in our lab.
Refrigerant evaluation facility
Renewable Energy & Energy Storage
We are active in renewable energy. We work on the novel solar air heater where honey comb type heat exchangers are employed for effective harvesting of thermal energy for heating applications.
For effective utilization of renewable energy sources, energy storage systems are essential to mitigate the intermittent nature. Being active in adsorption heat pumps, it is natural that thermal energy storage using adsorption mechanism becomes another research area of our lab. We have the state-of-the-art test facility for adsorption energy storage system using novel materials such as mesoporous silica.
Our students work on several interesting topics such as “Thermal Water Pumping Cycles”, “Remote Sensing and Data Analysis”, “Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing” and “Nanofluids”
