Thermal Systems
Presentation
The research group aims to study and develop reactive systems and power plants through simulation, experimentation, and advanced monitoring using analytical and optical techniques at laboratory and industrial scales.
Research lines
Research Line 1 – Simulation of Reactive Systems and Modeling of Energy Plants
- Activity 1.1: Advanced numerical simulation of heat transfer in energy systems (electrical systems, metallurgical and process furnaces) and the dynamics of coherent particle-gas systems (fixed and fluidized beds) and chaotic systems.
- Activity 1.2: Advanced tools to study and optimize energy plants (solar heaters, PCMs).
Research Line 2 – Experimentation, Monitoring, and Modeling of Thermochemical Processes
- Activity 2.1: Thermal monitoring of boilers, furnaces, process heat recuperators, and regenerators. Development of new physics-based measurements applicable in real-world settings. Application of analytical and optical techniques.
- Activity 2.2: Experimental study and detailed modeling of pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion processes, as well as physical activation processes for developing microporous materials with energy-related purposes (CO2 capture, H2 storage, supercapacitors).
Projects
Ecological Transition in Rural Areas-Ecological traNSition rUral aREas (ENSURE). Ref.: TED2021-131397B-I00. MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND INNOVATION. Julio Melero Estela and Javier Uche Marcuello (CIRCE Institute- University of Zaragoza). 01/12/2022- 30/11/2024. €276,000.00.
DEVELOPMENT OF A REACTION MODEL OF THE PROCESS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVATION OF BIOCARBON FOR ENERGY APPLICATIONS (BIOCARB). Ref.: RTI2018-098888-A-I00. MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND UNIVERSITIES. Javier Pallarés Ranz. (CIRCE Institute - University of Zaragoza). 01/07/2019-30/06/2022. €105,270.00.
PRODUCTION AND EVALUATION OF A FERTILIZER WITH LOW NITROGEN EMISSIONS BASED ON ACTIVATED CARBON FROM LANDFILLS AND BIOMASS. Ref.: RTC-2015-3411-5. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND COMPETITIVENESS. Javier Pallarés Ranz. (CIRCE Institute - University of Zaragoza). 01/10/2015-31/12/2018. €235,940.10.
INTEGRATED PROCESS CONTROL BASED ON DISTRIBUTED IN-SITU SENSORS INTO RAW MATERIAL AND ENERGY FEEDSTOCK. COMUNIDAD EUROPEA SPIRE 2014, Integrated Process Control nº 604140. Cristóbal Cortés Gracia. (Fundación CIRCE). 01/01/2015-01/01/2018. 441.125 €.
E-GLASS. RTC-2014-1570-5- ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE MONITORING OF COMBUSTION AND EFFICIENCY OF REGENERATIVE EXCHANGERS IN GLASS FURNACES. Antonia Gil Martínez (CIRCE Institute- University of Zaragoza). 01/09/2014 - 31/05/2018. €127,903.35.
TOOLS FOR MONITORING AND ASSESSING RESOURCE-EFFICIENCY IN THE VALUE CHAIN OF PROCESS INDUSTRIES, Unión Europea (Fundación CIRCE), Antonia Gil Martínez, 16/01/2014 - 01/07/2017, 879.599,8 €.
SUPPORT TO INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING OF THE CHINA-EU INSTITUTE FOR CLEAN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY. EUROPEAN COMMISSION. Inmaculada Arauzo Pelet. (Fundación CIRCE). 01/07/2010-15/10/2017. 952.710 €.
Infrastructure
The thermochemical processes laboratory has the necessary infrastructure for pyrolysis, torrefaction, carbonization, gasification, and physical activation tests of biomass and other solid fuels. A fixed-bed heated horizontal tube furnace, steam generator, gas chromatograph, precision and thermogravimetric balances, mill, and drying oven are available.
HPC high-performance computing server for numerical simulations equipped with two advanced Intel processors with 128 cores. Matlab and ANSYS-FLUENT licenses.
Technological and service offer
Customized models adapted to the client's needs as a monitoring and control system for processes (burners, furnaces, boilers, stoves, heaters, heat exchangers, recuperators, and regenerators).
Simulation and energy optimization of plants and processes.
Integration of renewable energies.
Characterization and experimental optimization of thermochemical processes.
Instrumentation and control of thermal and thermochemical processes.
Thermal analysis of solid fuels (biomass and waste) using thermogravimetry.
