The thermophysics laboratory is equipped with test rigs for determining the thermal conductivity and heat capacity of solids and liquids as well as test rigs for characterizing radiant heat exchange. In addition to standard measurement methods (guarded heat flow meter, transient hot bridge), several methods developed in the research area are used to investigate anisotropic or inhomogeneous materials. Examples of this are highly filled, thermally conductive plastics and injection-molded components made from them or high-performance capacitors and battery cells made up of several layers.
Another focus is on the characterization of porous adsorbents. Among other things, adsorption equilibria (equilibrium isotherms), mass transport parameters (diffusion constants and tortuosities) as well as the load-dependent thermal conductivity and heat capacity can be determined. The test benches can be converted for different working media, such as water, methanol, ethanol or ammonia. In the case of powdered adsorbents, the particle size distribution can be determined using a laser granulometer.
A modular laboratory adsorption heat pump allows new pairs of substances to be tested under real conditions or new thermodynamic cycles to be developed.
Contact: Dr.-Ing. Jochen Gaiser, Toni Maier, M.Sc.