Research at Fluid & Process
The Fluid & Process research group at AAU Energy, campus Esbjerg, works across disciplines to develop and apply advanced methods for modeling, control, and optimization of fluid systems. Our research spans several domains and technologies to address complex challenges in modern energy infrastructures.
Key research areas and competences:
Our research is highly multidisciplinary, combining expertise from energy, chemical, and electrical engineering. This enables us to address challenges that span physical systems, digital infrastructure, and industrial integration.
We do modeling and simulation in a variety of different software packages, like MATLAB, Python, Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSIS, EES, and ANSYS Fluent, to analyze, optimize, and control fluid systems. These tools support system design and control in several domains we have been working on, from oil and gas to new areas in CCUS and Power-to-X.
Our control system development includes, fault-tolerant, nonlinear, and predictive control strategies, where enhanced monitoring plays a central role in our work. When relevant, we also explore the use of machine learning and data fusion frameworks to develop smart control systems and predictive maintenance tools for complex fluid processes.
We explored advanced sensor technologies such as FTIR, gas chromatography (GC), fluorescence spectroscopy, and dynamic microscopy to enable real-time monitoring, impurity detection, and process diagnostics. These sensors are utilized in both laboratory-scale and pilot-scale setups, particularly in applications such as fluid separation, purification, and treatment.
Thermodynamic and techno-economic analysis is conducted using Aspen and EES to evaluate energy efficiency, exergy performance, and cost-effectiveness of different processes.
Upcoming/Ongoing projects
· Xerus: AAU Energy; Research to Business Pilot Grant - 220.000 DKK. 01/02/2025 – 31/12/2025.
· CarbonAdapt: Rambøll Energy, FORCE Technology, Gas Storage Denmark, AAU Bio, AAU Energy; Inno-CCUS (Innovationsfonden) - 12.3 mil. DKK. 01/06/2022 – 31/01/2026.
· CCUS-Infrastructures: Total, Ørsted, AAU Plan, AAU Energy; Inno-CCUS (Innovationsfonden) – 4.4 mil. DKK. 01/10/2023 – 31/05/2027
· HYFLEX: Kassø PtX Expansion ApS, Solar Park Kassø ApS, EMD International, Energy Cluster Denmark, Work-Live-Stay Southern Denmark, Syddansk Universitet, AAU Energy; FRO – 72.5 mil. DKK (AAU share: 0.25 mil. DKK 01/10/2023 – 31/05/2027.
· C-TECH: AAU Energy; FRO – 27.8 mil. DKK. 24/09/2025 – 24/09/2028
· EUDP project: ARROiW – Advanced Sensing to Reduce the Oil-in-Water, 11.2025-05.2028, cooperated with DTU, KU, Wind and Water Technology Aps, Total DK
· EUDP project: Demonstrating high-temperature heat pumps at different integration levels, 02.2022-11.2026, cooperated with DTI, Verdo Energy, Multi Køl og Energi, SRM, Frascold, Carel Nordic, Energy Solution, Biomar, DIN.
· Sektorkobling, udnyttelse af værdistrømme fra PtX-virksomheder og datacentre: Esbjerg Kommune, Business Esbjerg, DIN Forsyning, MorGen Energy ApS, CIP Projects A/S, Bulk, A2X, Thylander, VTL-Varde/Wa3rm; Fyrtårn III – 9.25 mil. DKK (AAU share: 1.85 mil. DKK). [Pending decisions]
· INCAPTURE: DTU, SDU, University of Stuttgart, Port of Esbjerg, Port of Aalborg, Maskinel ApS, AAU Energy; Inno-CCUS Pool 4 – 15,8 mil. DKK (AAU share: 1.2 mil. DKK). [Pending decisions]
· Skills2X, Gesek, Ervh. akade. syd vest, BE, Tønder ervh. råd, Udvikling Vejen, Buisness Aabenraa, Work-Live-Stay Southern Denmark, AAU Energy; FRO (AAU-share: 650,000 DKK). [Pending decisions]
2024 Completed projects
· EUDP project: OiW Control by 3D spectroscopy, 02.2021-12.2024, cooperated with DTU, KU, Shute Sensing, Total DK, and EIC.
· Danish Offshore Technology Center (DOTC) project: Demonstration of Integrated Online OiW Monitoring and Control, 09.2023 – 09.2024, cooperated with DTU Offshore, Shute Sensing, Total DK