Energy Efficiency at the University of Cape Town

Thermofluid process modelling applies the fundamental principles of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat and mass transfer to model industrial processes. To accurately model such processes the governing equations of mass, energy and momentum conservation need to be solved for steady-state and transient operating modes in a computationally inexpensive manner. By having access to representative models engineers can:

  • Analyse the operation and performance of individual components, sub-systems or complete integrated plants to improve the design and operation to meet changing consumer demands.
  • Detect changes that might indicate impending equipment or process degradation, thereby enabling pro-active and preventative planned maintenance outages
Interests include:

  • Power plant condition monitoring
  • Boiler modelling
  • Radiation model using the zonal method
  • Solar power plants
  • Combined cycle power plants
  • Machine learning for plant monitoring
  • Emissions modelling in transient operation
  • Stage by stage model of steam turbines

Specialisation Centre Academics

 

Associate Professor Wim Fuls
University of Cape Town

Dynamic simulation, power plants, systems engineering, turbine modelling

Professor Pieter Rousseau
University of Cape Town

Process modelling, thermofluid energy systems and process condition monitoring

Priyesh Gosai
University of Cape Town

Power plant process condition monitoring

Partners at other Universities/UOTs

 

Professor Alfayo Alugongo
Vaal University of Technology

Condition monitoring

Professor Igor Gorlach
Nelson Mandela University

Associate Professor Johan van der Spuy
Stellenbosch University

Air cooled condensers and gas turbines

Additional SC Academics

 

Professor Arnaud Malan
Vaal University of Cape Town

CFD

Professor Edward Boje
University of Cape Town

Control

Associate Professor Amit Mishra
University of Cape Town

Machine Learning

Additional Partner University Academic

 

Dr Mike Owen
Stellenbosch University

Wet Cooling Systems

Contact Details

Phone: 021 650 5720
Email: [email protected]
Physical Address: Maintenance Place Building,  Madiba Circle West, Upper Campus,