The Thermo-Fluid Mechanics Research Centre (TFMRC) is a dedicated research laboratory specialising in both fundamental and applied research in thermofluids.
Our expertise in the areas of aerodynamics and heat transfer enable us to tackle relevant problems in energy applications ranging from domestic combined heat & power units to industrial power generation and aero-engine applications. Particular emphasis is placed on gas turbine related aero-thermal research as applicable to aircraft propulsion, power generation, and their related aeroacoustics.
The TFMRC has received research grants in excess of £11 million over the last 10 years from a number of major gas turbine companies and independent governmental and non-governmental funding bodies. Rolls Royce plc. has been a major contributor in the past.
A speciality of the TFMRC is non-invasive instrumentation including Pyrometry and Thermal imaging, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) and Phase Doppler Anemometry (PDA). New flow instrumentation and flow modelling techniques are continually developed. A full list of experimental capabilities available at the Centre could be found elsewhere in these pages.
TFMRC also has a strong track record in CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). The current platform for computationally modelling flow and heat transfer consists of two major in-house code suites, SURF and FLUXp. The former has being widely applied axial and radial turbomachinery analysis and optimisations in the last 15 years, while the latter, developed over the last 10 years, specialises in LES (Large Eddy Simulation) for turbulent flows and flow induced noise. A list of computer hardware is available in the facilities.
We welcome enquiries about research opportunities. Imformal enquiries about commissioning research programmes or performing research studies can be sent to individual staff members. For other enquiries concerning postgraduate degree programmes at doctoral (DPhil, PhD) or masters level (MSc and MPhil), please contact Luke Scott.