Fields of Research
Areas of Concentration: Renewable Energy Processes, Equipment and Systems
This Area of Concentration is characterized by scientific and technological research into new Processes, Equipment and Systems which utilize alternative energy sources, isolatedly or associated among themselves, so as to contribute to the technological and social development in the regional and national scope. Such activities comprise the conception of new processes and equipment, as well as structure and manufacturing mechanical projects. They are distributed into the following Fields of Research: “Solar Energy (Thermal and Photovoltaic)”, “Wind Energy” and “Biomass and Biofuels”.
1. Solar Energy (Thermal and Photovoltaic): This field of research aims at accomplishing advanced studies in the conception, experimentation, control and optimization of thermal and photovoltaic processes, equipment and systems which use physical and chemical principles, as well as obtaining selective surfaces for thermal and photovoltaic applications, with a view to the utilization of this source of renewable energy, associated or not with the existent conventional sources.
2. Wind Energy: This field addresses projects of energy generation systems deriving from wind regimes, considering factors such as mechanical dimensioning, simulations, controls, optimization, and performance studies of wind turbines blades, involving basic principles of fluid mechanics and advanced programming.
3. Biomass and Biofuels: This field of research comprises studies in the areas of biomass combustion using the principles of combustion by filtration, with an emphasis on the dimensioning and construction of new equipment, aiming at the generation of clean energy, with a low index of NOx and CO emission, as well as their reutilization as synthesis gases. This field has also developed advanced studies on biofuel combustion monitoring in internal combustion motors, including the study of glycerol combustion not only in experimental fields but also in simulations with variations of distinct parameters.
