Introduction

As widely acknowledged, economic and social prosperity fundamentally originate in both the production and the dissemination of new knowledge, ideas, innovations as well as systematic research. Thus, the current website has been designed with the aim of presenting and disseminating the recent activities of the Laboratory of Applied Thermodynamics, Cooling Technology and Refrigerated Vehicles.

Drawing upon current educational activities and basic/applied research, the Laboratory of Applied Thermodynamics, Cooling Technology and Refrigerated Vehicles continuously expands its range of activities to participate in numerous research projects and strengthen connections with engineering professionals and the industry.

The Laboratory of Applied Thermodynamics, Cooling Technology and Refrigerated Vehicles, among the oldest laboratories of the School of Mechanical Engineering and NTUA in general, takes pride in possessing the required expertise, human resources, and appropriate infrastructure to produce advanced educational and scientific work. It has actively contributed to the industry as well as supported social groups, professional sectors, and individuals.

The laboratory research activities include:

  • Energy design of Zero Energy Buildings, integration of RES technologies and heat storage.
  • Design, analysis, simulation and optimization of thermodynamic systems and cycles.
  • Design, analysis, simulation, and optimization of open evaporative cycle air conditioning systems with liquid and solid adsorbent materials.
  • Design, analysis, simulation, and optimization of heat exchangers using phase change materials and nanofluids.
  • Simulation and optimization of absorption air conditioning units with thermal solar systems.
  • Modelling of prime movers and Stirling engines.
  • Design, analysis, simulation, and optimization of injector cooling units and combined absorption-injector units.
  • Thermodynamic analysis of irreversible biphasic binary mixture processes.
  • Energy efficient building design.

As part of its activities, the Laboratory also provides the following services among others:  

  • Techno-economic studies of energy saving projects in the building sector.
  • Energy audits in tertiary sector buildings.
  • Measurements of energy efficiency of cooling systems.
  • Energy efficiency evaluation of buildings.

In recent years, continuous effort has been made towards upgrading the material infrastructure, strengthening international collaborations, and optimizing the services provided by the laboratory. Guided by firm belief in productivity, outreach, and responsibility towards NTUA’s status, the laboratory primarily aims at continuously enhancing the quality of its activities.

The Laboratory of Applied Thermodynamics, Cooling Technology and Refrigerated Vehicles operates under the guidance of Professor Irene Koronaki. Dr. Irene Koronaki has served as a board member of public bodies, has worked as a Researcher in the Center for Renewable Energy Sources and has been actively involved in innovation transfer in Greece. The staff of the laboratory also includes two members of Laboratory Teaching Staff, Dr. Neofytos Komninos and Dr. Georgios Antonakos, as well as several research associates (Doctors) and PhD candidates (graduates of master’s programs in Greece and abroad).