Dr Dawei Wu

Dr Dawei Wu

School of Engineering
Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering

Contact details

Telephone
+44 (0) 121 414 4127
Email
d.wu.1@bham.ac.uk
View my research portal
Address
School of Engineering
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

Dr Dawei Wu is an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering, an EPSRC Industry Innovation Fellow, and International Tutor at the School of Engineering. He is a member of the CEE (Clean Energy Engineering) research group and is associated with the CASE (Connectivity, Autonomy, Sharing, and Electrification) Automotive Research and Education Centre. Dr Wu’s research strength lies in zero-carbon fuels (such as hydrogen, ammonia, and e-fuels) and zero-emitting propulsion technologies for transport.

Qualifications

  • PhD in Refrigeration and Cryogenics Engineering
  • BSc (Hons) in Thermal Energy and Power Engineering
  • BSc (Hons) in Automation Control Engineering

Biography

Dr Dawei Wu graduated from Shanghai Jiaotong University before he joined Newcastle University as a research fellow. He became a Lecturer and later a Senior Lecturer in Marine Engineering at Newcastle University's School of Engineering before moving to the University of Birmingham in 2020.

Dr Wu’s research strength lies in zero-carbon fuels (such as hydrogen, ammonia, and e-fuels) and zero-emitting propulsion technologies for transport. Currently, he is a part of the UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub and is working as a theme leader in 'low-carbon power and propulsion systems for shipping.' He is leading the development of hydrogen technology roadmaps in the UK National Hydrogen Research Hub: HI-ACT (Hydrogen Integration for Accelerated Energy Transitions). Additionally, he is a work package leader for 'Propulsion System Scalability Analysis' in the program grant – MariNH3: Green Ammonia Thermal Propulsion. Other research activities and industrial projects include the development of disruptive linear engine generators and cryogenic energy assisted power generation cycles, studies on fundamental thermofluids and combustion of hydrogen and ammonia, as well as utilisation of AI approaches and digital twin models for optimal designs of hybrid powertrains in HGVs, rail, and marine vessels.

He has published over 60 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters in the field of Mechanical and Marine Engineering. He is an associate journal editor of 'Frontiers in Energy Research,' and Academia 'Green Energy,' and a 'Fuel' section topic editor of Energies. He is also a Fuels and Lubricants Committee Member of SAE.

Teaching

  • Powertrain and Vehicle Engineering (Year 3 BEng)
  • Advanced Vehicle Engineering (Year 4 MEng/MSc)

Postgraduate supervision

Open PhD positions in the fields of fuel thermofluids, hydrogen/ammonia combustion, disruptive linear engine development, and AI-assisted hybrid powertrain design.

PhD scholarship is available based on academic merit.

Research

Research interests

  • Fundamental thermofluid behaviours of hydrogen and hydrogen carrying fuels.
  • Combustion and emissions of hydrogen, ammonia and e-fuels.
  • Developing disruptive zero-emitting heat engine generator.
  • AI and digital twin model assisted hybrid powertrain design and optimisation. 

Current projects

  • 2018-21: Ammonia/Hydrogen dual-fuelled Linear Engine-Generator (EP/S00193X/2)
  • 2021-22: Hydrogen supply in the rail system - ammonia powered trains (Network Rail)
  • 2021-22: Ship decarbonisation technologies (Industry project -AMC)
  • 2019-22: A Zero-Emission Closed-loop ZECCY engine generator (EP/R041970/2)
  • 2019-24: A network for hydrogen-fuelled transportation (EP/S032134/1)
  • 2020-23: Key enabling technologies of ammonia marine engines (Industry project - SMU)
  • 2021-25: Thermally driven and storage-integrated cooling technologies (EU MSCA 101007976)
  • 2022-27: Decarbonised Clean Marine: Green Ammonia Thermal Propulsion (EP/W016656/1)
  • 2022-25: Premixed Combustion Flame Instability Characteristics (EP/W002299/1)
  • 2023-24: Liquid e-fuel injectors for carbon neutral powertrains (IAA follow on fund)
  • 2023-25: Liquid Ammonia Direct Injection (EU MSCA 101063513)
  • 2023-28: Hydrogen Integration for Accelerated Energy Transitions (HI-ACT) (EP/X038823/1)
  • 2023-27: UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub (EP/Y024605/1)
  • 2023-26: Integrating Industry and Academic Perspectives for Advancing Hydrogen Technology (CPC RiR)

Other activities

Dr. Dawei Wu is International Tutor at School of Engineering and responsible for existing and new international exchange programme and research/education collaboration with School of Engineering.

Publications

Highlight publications

Zhang, Z, Li, T, Chen, R, Wang, N, Wei, Y & Wu, D 2021, 'Injection characteristics and fuel-air mixing process of ammonia jets in a constant volume vessel', Fuel, vol. 304, 121408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2021.121408

Zhang, F, Chen, G, Wu, D, Li, T, Zhang, Z & Wang, N 2021, 'Characterising premixed ammonia and hydrogen combustion for a novel Linear Joule Engine Generator', International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 46, no. 44, pp. 23075-23090. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.04.110

Zhang, Z, Kouris, GD, Kouris, PD, Hensen, EJM, Boot, MD & Wu, D 2021, 'Investigation of the combustion and emissions of lignin‐derived aromatic oxygenates in a marine diesel engine', Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, vol. 15, no. 6, pp. 1709-1724. https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.2267

Zhang, F, Chen, G & Wu, D 2021, Combustion and emission characteristics of ammonia/hydrogen dual-fuelled generic gas turbine. in 10th European Combustion Meeting. Proceedings Volume.. The Combustion Institute, pp. 1087-1092, 10th European Combustion Meeting, 14/04/21.

Liu, M, Wu, D, Tsolakis, A & Gao, W 2021, 'A waste cryogenic energy assisted freshwater generator for marine applications', Desalination, vol. 500, 114898. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2020.114898

Recent publications

Article

Zhou, Z, Yan, F, Zhang, G, Wu, D & Xu, H 2023, 'A Study on the Dynamic Collision Behaviors of a Hydrous Ethanol Droplet on a Heated Surface', Processes, vol. 11, no. 6, 1804. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11061804

Li, M, Ngwaka, U, Moeini Korbekandi, R, Baker, N, Wu, D & Tsolakis, A 2023, 'A closed-loop linear engine generator using inert gases: A performance and exergy study', Energy, vol. 281, 128278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2023.128278

Zhang, Y, Zhao, N, Li, M, Xu, Z, Wu, D, Hillmansen, S, Tsolakis, A, Blacktop, K & Roberts, C 2023, 'A techno-economic analysis of ammonia-fuelled powertrain systems for rail freight', Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, vol. 119, 103739. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2023.103739

Li, J, Wu, D, Mohammadsami Attar, H & Xu, H 2022, 'Geometric neuro-fuzzy transfer learning for in-cylinder pressure modelling of a diesel engine fuelled with raw microalgae oil', Applied Energy, vol. 306, no. Part A, 118014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118014

Ngwaka, U, Chen, F, Qiu, S, Li, M, Zhang, C & Wu, D 2022, 'Recent progress on performance and control of linear engine generator', International Journal of Engine Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/14680874221118014

Wang, N, Huang, S, Zhang, Z, Li, T, Yi, P, Wu, D & Chen, G 2021, 'Laminar burning characteristics of ammonia/hydrogen/air mixtures with laser ignition', International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 46, no. 62, pp. 31879-31893. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.07.063

Ngwaka, U, Wu, D, Happian-Smith, J, Jia, B, Smallbone, A, Diyoke, C & Roskilly, AP 2021, 'Parametric analysis of a semi-closed-loop linear joule engine generator using argon and oxy-hydrogen combustion', Energy, vol. 217, 119357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2020.119357

Ng, CW, Tam, ICK & Wu, D 2020, 'Thermo-economic performance of an organic rankine cycle system recovering waste heat onboard an offshore service vessel', Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, vol. 8, no. 5, 351. https://doi.org/10.3390/JMSE8050351

Chapter (peer-reviewed)

Wu, D & Tsougranis, E-L 2020, LNG Cryogenic Energy Technologies. in Advances in Energy Research. vol. 32, Advances in Energy Research, vol. 32, Nova Science Publishers.

Conference article

Liu, M & Wu, D 2019, 'A new fresh water generation system under high vacuum degrees intensified by LNG cryogenic energy', Energy Procedia, vol. 158, pp. 726-732. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2019.01.194

Wu, D, Tan, HM, Jia, B & Roskilly, AP 2019, 'A preliminary experimental study on a lab-scale Linear Joule Engine prototype', Energy Procedia, vol. 158, pp. 2244-2249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2019.01.174

Conference contribution

Li, Y & Wu, D 2020, A dynamic simulation of a cryogenic power generation system on an LNG fuelled vessel based on ORC technology. in IIR Rankine Conference 2020., 1204, Science et technique du froid, International Institute of Refrigeration, IIR Rankine Conference 2020, United Kingdom, 27/07/20. https://doi.org/10.18462/iir.rankine.2020.1204

Attar, HM, Wu, D & Harvey, AP 2020, A performance and emission investigation of a marine diesel fuelled with B20, B50 and B100 microalgae (Schizochytrium sp.) oil without chemical additive. in RINA, Royal Institution of Naval Architects - International Conference on LNG/LPG and Alternative Fuel Ships 2020, Papers. Royal Institution of Naval Architects, pp. 49-52, RINA, Royal Institution of Naval Architects - International Conference on LNG/LPG and Alternative Fuel Ships 2020, London, United Kingdom, 29/01/20.

Zhang, F & Wu, D 2020, Characteristics of Ammonia/Hydrogen Premixed Combustion in a Novel Linear Engine Generator. in The First World Energies Forum.

Liu, M & Wu, D 2020, Evaluation of LNG cryogenic energy utilization in seawater desalination on LNG fuelled ships. in RINA, Royal Institution of Naval Architects - International Conference on LNG/LPG and Alternative Fuel Ships 2020, Papers. Royal Institution of Naval Architects, pp. 43-48, RINA, Royal Institution of Naval Architects - International Conference on LNG/LPG and Alternative Fuel Ships 2020, London, United Kingdom, 29/01/20.

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