About us
The Clean Energy Engineering’s core mission is to champion research in the transition toward Net Zero by simultaneously tackling escalating energy demands and cost challenges while proactively mitigating their environmental impact. The group's research is conducted in well-equipped experimental and analytical laboratories and supported by Industry, UKRI (eg EPSRC, Innovate UK, BEIS) and Horizon Europe.
Capabilities (labs/workshops/expertise)
The CEE research group’s laboratories are well equipped for advancing energy technologies, addressing environmental concerns, and developing cleaner and more efficient propulsion systems. These facilities contribute to the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation and energy efficient solutions for various applications including electricity generation, water production, refrigeration and air conditioning.
Research and Development
Prototyping
Building and testing prototypes of energy systems like Organic Rankine Cycle for low temperature waste heat recovery, IC engine components (i.e. thermochemical heat recovery), fuel formulations, combustion validation of new technologies, heat powered adsorption systems for energy storage, cooling, water desalination and CO2 capture.
Innovation
Developing novel solutions to enhance systems efficiency and reduce emissions.
Engine Testing
Dynamometer testing, performance and emissions analysis. Disruptive heat engine prototyping and performance calibration.
Alternative Fuels Research
Hydrogen, Ammonia, and sustainable hydrocarbon alternative fuels combustion in engines, fuels composition analysis, fuels physical and chemical properties analysis, fuel blending, mixing and injection, property prediction.
Combustion Studies
Advanced combustion concepts development supported with optical mixing vessels, an optical combustor, and an optical engine. Advanced imaging techniques supported with high-speed cameras and laser diagnostic measurement system. AI and machine learning enhanced image processing to visualize and analyse the combustion flame patterns and behaviour.
Emissions Characterisation and Abatement Technologies
Gaseous and particulate emissions from the combustion of energy carriers and manufacturing processes. Emissions control through the development and testing of technologies to abate emissions of pollutants such as NOx, particulate matter, and greenhouse gases. Aftertreatment systems design and evaluation of the effectiveness of catalytic converters and particulate filters in reducing pollutants.
Simulation and Modelling capabilities
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD), Chemkin, AVL Cruise, Siemens Simcenter, GT-Suite.
Adsorption Heat Pumps using Metal Organic Framework (MOF) materials
Development of solar powered adsorption heat pumps for water desalination, cooling, heating and energy storage.
Adsorbent Material Characterisation
The group has access to facilities for characterisation of adsorbent materials like MOFs in terms of their adsorption isotherm and kinetics and thermal properties.