GFN Research Group

The Numerical Fluid Dynamics group (GFN) is a research group at the University of Zaragoza (Spain), led by professor Norberto Fueyo. The group is part of the Fluid Mechanics Section and the Aragon Institute for Engineering Research I3A. Our main activity is the numerical simulation of fluid flow, heat transfer and chemical reaction. We develop numerical models for the simulation of fluid flow in industrial applications and the environment. These models and techniques are often developed in cooperation with industry, and/or with support from regional, national or European funding bodies. Some of these applications include models and algorithms for: pollutant generation and stability in flames, combustion in fluidized beds, solid oxide fuel cells and mass transfer around leaves. We are also interested in large scale, techno-economic evaluation of the potential of renewable energies. We use GIS systems and high-resolution data to estimate in detail the available resource in a particular region. By doing this, we determine the technically-realizable potential of a region, and its associated cost in the form of cost-production curves. We can evaluate the impact (eg, visual) and analyse scenarios with different share levels of renewables in the energy mix. We can compare scenarios in terms of their overall cost to society at large, investment needs, avoided emissions (both operating and LCA) and visual impact, among other parameters.