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Processes
Special Issues
Thermal Engineering: Energy Conversion, Numerical Simulation, and Advanced Control
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Thermal Engineering: Energy Conversion, Numerical Simulation, and Advanced Control

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 August 2025 | Viewed by 1958

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Moisés Montiel-González

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Facultad de Ciencias Químicas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Cuernavaca 62209, Morelos, Mexico
Interests: passive ecotechnologies; CFD; energy sustainability
Dr. Jesus Cerezo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centro de Investigación en Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Cuernavaca 62209, Morelos, Mexico
Interests: heat and mass transfer; phase change material; absorption cooling system
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Miguel Ángel Basurto-Pensado

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centro de Investigación en Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Cuernavaca 62209, Morelos, Mexico
Interests: fiber optic sensors; automatic control; advanced electronics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Energy efficiency is an important topic for improving any kind of energy conversion to achieve the sustainability goal. This involves several benefits, such as reducing greenhouse gases, saving money, and saving energy and resources, among others. The development of robust simulations and modeling will help us to find new kinds of alternatives to improve the actual plants or processes that could be implemented.

The modeling and optimization of various thermal engineering processes involve energy conversion phenomena that require numerical simulation and the application of advanced control techniques and methodologies.

This Special issue aims to compile theoretical, numerical, and experimental research and review articles with novel findings that can contribute significantly to the scientific community. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The development of models and numerical simulations to predict the behavior of energy conversion systems under various operating conditions;
  • Simulation of possible advanced control scenarios and application of specialty software or AI tools to improve the energy efficiency of various applied engineering processes;
  • Solutions applicable to various processes, improving sustainability, and reducing negative energy impact;
  • Contributions related to new design approaches and materials that can optimize control and energy conversion efficiency in systems;
  • Mathematical models that show the behavior of the processes or new thermodynamic power cycles that improve processes;
  • Modern control systems in continuous or discontinuous processes.

Dr. Moisés Montiel-González
Dr. Jesus Cerezo
Dr. Miguel Ángel Basurto-Pensado
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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-blind 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 monthly 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

  • computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
  • energy efficiency
  • AI tools
  • thermal systems
  • sustainability
  • materials
  • mathematical model

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 6860 KiB  
Article
Energy and Exergy Analysis of Modified Heat Pump for Simultaneous Production of Cooling and Water Desalination Using Diverse Refrigerants
by A. Pacheco-Reyes, J. C. Jimenez-Garcia, J. Delgado-Gonzaga and W. Rivera
Processes 2025, 13(5), 1510; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13051510 - 14 May 2025
Viewed by 200
Abstract
More efficient energy conversion systems operating with clean energy sources or utilizing waste heat are crucial to minimizing the negative environmental impact associated with conventional systems. This study presents the energy and exergy analysis of a modified heat pump capable of producing cooling [...] Read more.
More efficient energy conversion systems operating with clean energy sources or utilizing waste heat are crucial to minimizing the negative environmental impact associated with conventional systems. This study presents the energy and exergy analysis of a modified heat pump capable of producing cooling and desalinated water using heat dissipated in the condenser. Six refrigerants were analyzed in the theoretical evaluation of the proposed system. These were selected based on their use in vapor compression systems and their thermodynamic properties. A parametric study considering operating temperatures and relative humidities determined that refrigerant R-123 achieved the greatest benefits in terms of the EER, the GOR, and ηExergy. In contrast, the highest benefits in water desalination were obtained with refrigerant R-410a. For operating conditions of TE = 0 °C, TC = 34 °C, and TCA = 14 °C, the system using refrigerant R-123 achieved an EER, GOR, ηExergy, DW, and IT of 0.82, 2.51, 0.35, 3.46 L/h, and 0.55 kW, respectively. Additionally, the dehumidifier and the evaporator were the components contributing the highest irreversibilities, accounting for approximately 24% and 19.3%, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Engineering: Energy Conversion, Numerical Simulation, and Advanced Control)
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25 pages, 6983 KiB  
Article
A Simple Analytical Approach to Estimating Solar Flux Distribution in a Multifaceted Solar Furnace Concentrator
by O. A. Jaramillo, J. O. Aguilar, M. Robles-Pérez and Mónica Borunda
Processes 2025, 13(5), 1383; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13051383 - 30 Apr 2025
Viewed by 194
Abstract
This study presents a theoretical analysis of the solar flux distribution within the receiver of the high-flux solar furnace at IER-UNAM. The furnace comprises an array of 409 first-surface spherical facets, each hexagonal in shape with a side length of 20 cm, and [...] Read more.
This study presents a theoretical analysis of the solar flux distribution within the receiver of the high-flux solar furnace at IER-UNAM. The furnace comprises an array of 409 first-surface spherical facets, each hexagonal in shape with a side length of 20 cm, and all mounted on a spherical framework. Each facet is carefully adjusted to focus sunlight onto a single focal point. Initially, the distribution of solar radiation is evaluated based on measurements obtained in Temixco, Morelos, Mexico (18°50′21″ N, 99°14′7.5″ W). Using these data, an analytical model is proposed to describe the solar radiation distribution using a Gaussian approximation. An additional analytical model is then developed to estimate the concentration distribution and its geometric shape at the furnace’s focal point, considering the solar width’s root mean square (RMS) value along with the optical errors associated with the heliostat and the reflective facets. Ultimately, by applying the concept of the effective solar source, an analysis of the solar flux distribution within the furnace receiver is conducted. This results in an analytical equation that characterizes the two-dimensional and three-dimensional distribution of the concentrated solar flux. Calculations reveal that the system captures approximately 30 kW of power, with peak concentrations reaching around 10,000 suns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Engineering: Energy Conversion, Numerical Simulation, and Advanced Control)
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26 pages, 12764 KiB  
Article
Theoretical and Numerical Investigation on Heat Transfer from Vulcanization Presses Containers
by Richard Lenhard, Katarína Kaduchová, Adam Miča and Milan Malcho
Processes 2025, 13(4), 963; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13040963 - 24 Mar 2025
Viewed by 253
Abstract
In the tire manufacturing process, rubber compounds are vulcanized in volcanic presses. The vulcanization technology is carried out at temperatures above 150 °C, i.e., at a temperature potential that causes heat losses if the containers are not sufficiently insulated. The paper describes the [...] Read more.
In the tire manufacturing process, rubber compounds are vulcanized in volcanic presses. The vulcanization technology is carried out at temperatures above 150 °C, i.e., at a temperature potential that causes heat losses if the containers are not sufficiently insulated. The paper describes the mathematical model developed to detect the heat fluxes from the container walls to the surroundings. The calculation is carried out strictly in the SI system. With the help of the developed model, the back-relations of heat losses through the vertical and horizontal walls of the container enclosure were obtained as a function of the thickness of the insulation without and with a radiation shield on the inside of the enclosure. Numerical modeling using the finite volume method was used to verify the results obtained. In the numerical simulation, a 2D and a 3D model were created, and the same input conditions as in the mathematical model were simulated. Using the obtained results, an energy-energy balance of the tire vulcanization technology was performed by comparing the heat loss fraction as a function of the external temperature of the container cover and as a function of the insulation thickness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Engineering: Energy Conversion, Numerical Simulation, and Advanced Control)
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16 pages, 5837 KiB  
Article
Closed-Loop Solar Tracking Control Strategy to Correct Drift in a CPV System Using Image Processing
by Héctor González-Camarillo, Carlos A. Pérez-Rábago, Ramiro Calleja-Valdez, Ricardo Arturo Pérez-Enciso, Rafael García-Gutiérrez, Claudio A. Estrada-Gasca and Yuridiana R. Galindo-Luna
Processes 2025, 13(4), 944; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13040944 - 22 Mar 2025
Viewed by 679
Abstract
Tracking the apparent movement of the sun with high precision is crucial in dual-axis tracking systems for solar concentration applications. It is important to develop control strategies to reduce losses by solar radiation displacement (drift) on the receiver and improve the solar concentration [...] Read more.
Tracking the apparent movement of the sun with high precision is crucial in dual-axis tracking systems for solar concentration applications. It is important to develop control strategies to reduce losses by solar radiation displacement (drift) on the receiver and improve the solar concentration system. In concentrated photovoltaics, a high-precision tracking control is required to keep the concentration point. This paper compares open-loop and closed-loop solar tracking control strategies to solve drift problems and correct azimuth and elevation angles in a non-image reflective FRESNEL solar concentrator. The open-loop strategy consists of a programming code to calculate the apparent sun position, sending command signals to the actuator systems in azimuth and elevation tracker axes. In the open-loop strategy, the actual position of the sun is not verified. A closed-loop strategy with a visual monitoring device is proposed here to detect the sun’s position in real time. This can be simultaneously compared with a fixed reference to evaluate drift through time, calculate the generated error, and send feedback signals to correct azimuth and elevation angles. With this configuration, displacement containment of the solar point concentration projection was ±0.00215 m in the azimuth direction and ±0.0027 m in the elevation direction on the receiver. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Engineering: Energy Conversion, Numerical Simulation, and Advanced Control)
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