Energy and Process Engineering (EVT)

Efficient Use of Low-Temperature Heat

We encounter thermal energy at temperatures up to 150°C in many different divisions. In the field of renewable energy—particularly geothermal energy—large amounts of energy are available within this temperature range. Additionally, numerous industrial processes generate waste heat that could be recycled back into the process or utilized elsewhere.

The Energy and Process Engineering (EVT) Department at ITES focuses on methods for the efficient use of low-temperature heat. The department’s work is primarily experimental in nature, though simulation calculations are always performed in conjunction with the experiments.

The department is divided into three groups:

Technologies for Efficient Heat Utilization (TEW)

Molten Salt Technology (FST)

Platform for the Transformation of Industrial Process Heat (PTP)

Various internships, bachelor’s theses, or master’s theses can be conducted within the projects/groups.

Our Profile:

We have many years of experience

in thermal and fluid dynamics
in high-pressure systems (up to 700 bar)
in the design and operation of experimental research facilities
in the simulation and modeling of power plant engineering problems

We employ a wide range of measurement and analysis methods, in particular:

non-contact, laser-optical methods
Laser Doppler anemometry (LDA)
Photometry
Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV and µPIV)
Gas analysis
Surface measurement
Particle size measurement
Elemental Analyzer
Measurement of physical quantities (density, viscosity, heat capacity, etc.)

Simulation and modeling software

IPSEpro
GESI (Geothermal Simulation)
CHEMCAD
Lauterbach Process Engineering

Our Research Focus:

Characterization of geothermal water

Determination of material properties:
i Density
i Heat capacity
Precipitation behavior
i Evaluation of scaling under realistic conditions
i Development of suitable analytical methods
i Dependence of scaling on fluid dynamics
Material-surface interactions
i Influence of surface properties on scaling
i Relationships between material and geothermal water properties

Heat Transfer

Design and sizing of components
Fundamental studies on heat transfer of various fluids and mixtures
i experimental
i theoretical

Power Plant Engineering

Simulation of processes and components
Development of the Karlsruhe Modular Low-Temperature Cycle (MoNiKa)
Investigation of circuit configuration variants for the cycle processes
Site-specific selection of optimized working fluids for power plant cycles
Studies on supercritical fluids
Development and validation of simulation tools

Our Mission

Our research focuses on a broad range of topics. They encompass all “surface-level” aspects of geothermal energy utilization, from design and engineering to manufacturing. The focus is always on increasing efficiency—whether through the optimization of heat exchangers or the site-specific coordination of components. Furthermore, the research results can also be readily applied to the utilization of all types of low-temperature waste heat.

Our Targets

No two geothermal sites are alike. And even when it comes to utilizing low-temperature waste heat, conditions vary from site to site.

By investigating a modular system, we aim to better understand the interactions between the components and thereby accelerate site-specific adaptation. The heat exchanger, in particular, plays a crucial role in increasing efficiency. Therefore, we aim to examine the processes within the heat exchanger in greater detail—both on the thermal water side (heat capacity, scaling) and with regard to the heat transfer fluids. Calculations based on accompanying theoretical models and numerical simulations serve as an important complement to all these experimental investigations.

We place great value on training young researchers and engineers and supervise apprentices, interns, students working on diploma and student's projects, as well as doctoral candidates.