Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics in Energy Systems

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 2951

Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
Interests: biomass; combustion; gasification; solid waste; life cycle assessment; ammonia; hydrogen; NOx emissions

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Guest Editor
College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
Interests: catalytic hydrogen generation; machine learning; waste management

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Guest Editor
School of Environmental Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Interests: synergistic thermochemical conversion technologies of biomass and organic solid waste; key technologies for carbon neutrality; negative carbon emissions; full life cycle assessment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, entitled "Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics in Energy Systems", aims to explore the critical interplay between thermodynamic principles and fluid mechanics in the design, analysis, and optimization of modern energy systems. As the global demand for sustainable energy solutions escalates, it is essential to understand the fundamental behaviors of fluids under various thermodynamic conditions.

This Special Issue welcomes contributions that address a wide range of topics, including but not limited to, the following:

  • Thermal Management: Exploring the conversion mechanisms of diverse energy systems, with an emphasis on thermochemical processes during combustion systems and clean utilization technologies for biomass/solid waste.
  • Fluid Dynamics: Investigating the flow behavior of gases and liquids in energy systems through advanced methodologies, encompassing both laminar and turbulent regimes, and their impact on system efficiency.
  • Energy Conversion Processes: Analyzing the thermodynamic cycles used in boilers, engines, and turbines, focusing on efficiency improvements and innovative designs.

This Special Issue will provide valuable insights into the integration of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, paving the way for advancements in energy technologies and promoting a more sustainable future. Researchers, engineers, and practitioners are encouraged to submit original research articles, review papers, and case studies that reflect the latest developments and applications in this interdisciplinary field.

Dr. Shengquan Zhou
Dr. Junyu Tao
Dr. Zhiwei Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • thermodynamics
  • fluid mechanics
  • energy systems
  • biomass conversion
  • solid waste utilization

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 11231 KB  
Article
CFD Investigation of Local Subcooled Pool Boiling on Downward-Facing Heating Surface
by Yu-Hsien Chen and Yuh-Ming Ferng
Processes 2026, 14(11), 1741; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14111741 - 27 May 2026
Viewed by 292
Abstract
In contrast to conventional upward-facing heating, downward-facing surfaces exhibit distinct bubble dynamics and opposing buoyancy forces, presenting a challenge in terms of a boiling characterization that is difficult to capture experimentally or numerically. This study examines the performance of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) [...] Read more.
In contrast to conventional upward-facing heating, downward-facing surfaces exhibit distinct bubble dynamics and opposing buoyancy forces, presenting a challenge in terms of a boiling characterization that is difficult to capture experimentally or numerically. This study examines the performance of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations in predicting subcooled downward-facing boiling heat transfer by comparing the simulation results with experimental observations under various correlation combinations. Grid Convergence Index (GCI) analysis was conducted to determine the appropriate grid resolution, ensuring reliable predictions of wall temperature and void fraction. Specifically, this study validates the appropriate simulation conditions for predicting local subcooled downward-facing boiling heat transfer by comparing the simulated results using different bubble dynamic parameter combinations with experimental observations. The validated conditions not only accurately predict heat transfer effects but also effectively capture bubble characteristics, including bubble thickness, velocity, and void fraction. Furthermore, the influence of turbulence models and interfacial heat transfer effects was analyzed. Overall, the findings indicate that under the proposed simulation conditions, CFD can reliably reproduce both heat transfer performance and bubble dynamics in the local subcooled downward-facing boiling phenomenon. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics in Energy Systems)
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10 pages, 2568 KB  
Article
Femtosecond Laser Filament-Induced Discharge at Gas–Liquid Interface and Online Measurement of Its Spectrum
by Zheng Lu, Bo Li, Xiaofeng Li, Zhifeng Zhu, Tengfei Wu, Lei Zhang, Hujun Jiao and Qiang Gao
Processes 2025, 13(12), 4003; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13124003 - 11 Dec 2025
Viewed by 769
Abstract
Gas–liquid discharge shows great promise for enhancing the efficiency of diverse energy conversion systems; however, its inherent stochasticity and instability hinder precise process control. Here, we use femtosecond laser-induced discharge combined with space–time resolution spectroscopy to achieve stable and tunable plasma generation at [...] Read more.
Gas–liquid discharge shows great promise for enhancing the efficiency of diverse energy conversion systems; however, its inherent stochasticity and instability hinder precise process control. Here, we use femtosecond laser-induced discharge combined with space–time resolution spectroscopy to achieve stable and tunable plasma generation at the gas–liquid interface. Experimental results show that the interface reduces the breakdown electric-field threshold by about 25%, shortens the breakdown delay by about 80 ns, and markedly suppresses timing jitter compared with air and the formation of high-density, low-temperature plasma, indicating that liquid-derived species participate in and reshape the ionization pathways. This work provides a controllable platform for the study of gas–liquid discharge and new insights for the design of efficient plasma auxiliary systems for multiphase flow energy conversion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics in Energy Systems)
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17 pages, 2725 KB  
Article
An Experimental Study of Bubble Growth and Detachment Characteristics at an Orifice for an Electronic Atomizer
by Deji Sun, Jinyang Zhao, Huiwu Liu, Ying Zhang and Zhaoqing Ke
Processes 2025, 13(11), 3516; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13113516 - 2 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1229
Abstract
The formation of bubbles at an orifice is a key problem in gas–liquid two-phase flow. In the electronic atomizer, the bubble size and generation frequency formed at the gas exchange port are important factors affecting the heat and mass transfer efficiency and two-phase [...] Read more.
The formation of bubbles at an orifice is a key problem in gas–liquid two-phase flow. In the electronic atomizer, the bubble size and generation frequency formed at the gas exchange port are important factors affecting the heat and mass transfer efficiency and two-phase flow in the atomization process. Therefore, it is of great theoretical and practical significance to study the process of bubble growth and detachment at the orifice. In this work, the dynamic change in bubble volume during the periodic growth of the orifice is analyzed by visual experiments. The effects of outlet liquid flow rate, orifice parameter, and liquid properties on bubble detachment volume and detachment frequency are discussed. It is found that under different orifice diameters and outlet liquid flow rates, the bubble generation period can be divided into three forms: single-, double-, and triple-bubble periodicities based on the number of bubbles in the period. The detachment frequency and detachment volume of bubbles increase with the increase the in outlet flow rate. The change in liquid properties also affects the bubble growth and detachment characteristics. This work provides a theoretical basis for the design of an air exchange structure in an electronic atomizer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics in Energy Systems)
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