The Institute of Thermodynamics, as an institution of the University, is committed to teaching and research. The aim of teaching is to provide industry and the public sector with well-trained engineers in the fundamentals and in exemplary distribution subjects. To this end, industry and the university cooperate, for example, in the context of internships and, in some cases, in the joint execution of student projects. Nevertheless, the empirical 80/20 rule must be observed: The university can only provide 80% of the necessary competencies in the engineering profession. The final educational step is typically the career entry phase.
In research, the institute is dedicated to both basic and application-oriented topics. The research competence of the institute focuses on the following points:
Thermodynamic system analysis
- Measurement Balances
- Component Balances
- Energy and Exergy Balances
- Modeling
Heat Transfer
- Measuring and calculating heat transfer coefficients
- Calculation of radiation fractions during heat transfer
- Design of heat exchangers
- High temperature heat transfer
Fuel Cells and Water Electrolysis
- Experimental characterization of polymer membrane electrolyte (PEM) and oxide ceramic (SO) fuel cells
- Modeling and design of fuel cell systems
- Experimental characterization of high-temperature electrolytic cells (SOEC).
Fluid Properties
- Density: Gases and liquids in the temperature range -50°C to 150°C; pressure range up to 700 bar (flexural vibrator)
- Specific heat capacity: liquids/solids at ambient pressure and temperatures from 20°C to 100°C (DSC)
- Thermal conductivity: solids at ambient pressure with temperatures from -20°C to 100°C (parallel plate apparatus)
- Emissivities, absorptivities in the visual and IR range on request (FTIR)
- Sound velocity of liquids on request (pulse-echo method)
