VUB: Thermo and Fluid Dynamics (FLOW)

General expertise of the research group

At FLOW, we focus on ensuring access to sustainable energy for all, which is one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. We tackle this challenging mission through 3 research topics: circular energy, low emissions, and flexible energy systems. We have expertise in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, combustion, CFD simulations, system modelling and data driven modelling. In the field of Hydrogen, our current focus in on the combustion of hydrogen and related e-fuels for heat and power production and other industrial applications, including safety issues related to hydrogen storage and use.

Specific hydrogen- related expertise & research topics

• Combustion of H2 and H2-based carriers
• CFD simulations
• Kinetic mechanisms
• Thermodynamic process modelling and integration
• Power plants
• Flue gas treatment
• Storage
• H2 leakages

Available equipment/tools:

• Micro-gas turbine Turbec T100 (100 kWe)

Participating in FL/B/EU funded projects with H2 related research:

• BEST: Belgian Energy System. Role of e-fuels in the Belgian energy system, 2020-2024, ETF: Energy Transition Funds. Partners: UCL, ULB, UMons, UGent.
• BE-HyFE: Belgian Hydrogen Fundamental Expertise, 2021-2025, ETF: Energy Transition Funds. Partners: UGent, UCLouvain, ULB, UAntwerpen, UMons, KULeuven, ULiège, UHasselt, IMEC,VKI,VITO, WaterstofNet, TWEED.
• H2-HeatNet: A planification tool for the integration of hydrogen-based energy systems into urban district heating networks, 2022-2024, Innoviris: Joint R&D project. Partners: ULB, Sibelga.
• H2-GridTwin: A digital twin of a hydrogen-to-grid living lab, 2023-2025, ETF: Energy Transition Funds. Partners: ULB, Sibelga.

Main relevant publications

1. Is Blue Hydrogen a Better Alternative Than Post-Combustion Carbon Capture for Combined Cycle Gas Turbines? A Thermodynamic Point of View, MJ Mendoza Morales, A Verhaeghe, L Bricteux, J Blondeau, W De Paepe, Turbo Expo: Power for Land, Sea, and Air 86946, V002T03A012, 2023.
2. Large Eddy Simulation investigation of pressure and wall heat loss effects on rich ammoniahydrogen-air combustion in a gas turbine burner. K Bioche, J Blondeau, L Bricteux. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 47 (85), 36342-36353, 2022.
3. Towards Zero-Carbon Emission Cogeneration Through Hydrogen Fueling: Assessment of the Impact of CH4/H2 Blends on the Thermodynamic Performance of a Gas Turbine CHP Unit. MJ Mendoza Morales, J Blondeau, W De Paepe. International Conference on Applied Energy, 2022.
4. Large Eddy Simulation of rich ammonia/hydrogen/air combustion in a gas turbine burner, K Bioche, L Bricteux, A Bertolino, A Parente, J Blondeau, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 46 (79), 39548-39562, 2021.