RESEARCH PROFILE

Hans Kuerten is a Full Professor holding the Chair Computational Multiphase Flow at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). He is specialized in numerical simulation methods for single-phase turbulent flow, particle-laden flow and flows with phase transition, scientific computing and models for turbulent and multiphase flow.

His research interests are primarily in the areas of fluid mechanics and numerical mathematics. The main topic of his research is a variety of multiscale problems in two-phase flows, in particular the different scales arising from the combination of turbulence and particles, droplets or bubbles in the flow. Key research topics are: subgrid modelling in LES of particle-laden flow, DNS of particle-laden flows with additional physical phenomena, such as evaporation and condensation of droplets and pyrolysis and combustion of biomass particles, the diffuse interface model for phase-transitional flow and evaporation of sessile droplets on porous and non-porous substrates. Relevant applications can be found in process technology, for instance in particle separation, steam injection, boilers and inkjet printing. He uses various numerical methods with an emphasis on spectral methods and finite volume methods and cooperates closely with experimental research.

Flow keeps on surprising. The many aspects of turbulent flow make it a topic that remains worthy to study and the many applications will inspire researchers for a long time to come.”

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Hans obtained his MSc in Theoretical Physics from the University of Utrecht and his PhD from TU/e. In addition to his work at TU/e, Hans is part-time professor Computational Multiscale Methods, Faculty EEMCS, University of Twente. Hans has spent sabbaticals at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA in the group of Prof.dr. J.T. Tough and the Institute of Fluid Dynamics of Swiss Federal Institute for Technology (ETH) Zurich, Switzerland in the group of Prof.dr. L. Kleiser. Hans is the local director at TU/e of the national Research School for Fluid Mechanics in the Netherlands, J.M. Burgerscentrum. Hans is involved in various international collaborations, for example on complex network theory for turbulent flow with Politecnico di Torino. In 2016 he published a review paper on point-particle methods for particle-laden flow for the journal Flow, Turbulence and Combustion.