About the laboratories
The Thermal Engineering Laboratories (VATL) at the Gløshaugen campus in Trondheim comprise a broad range of research infrastructures, mainly within energy and process technology. Research here covers everything from thermodynamic principles, fluid mechanics, chemistry and materials technology, which are key research areas for sectors such as the oil and gas industry, the food industry, the renewable energy sector and the process industry. The laboratories are also a central hub for the collaboration between SINTEF and NTNU, a collaboration that helps turn academic research into practical solutions for industry. The laboratory infrastructure makes it possible, among other things, to verify theoretical models and to test and develop new ideas and pilots. In this way, the laboratories can contribute efficient, economical and sustainable energy solutions for the future, and be a spearhead for the green energy transition in Norway and Europe.
Main focus
The main focus of the laboratories is to facilitate safe and secure research and development within energy and process technology. This includes renewable and thermal energy, energy storage and refrigeration technology, as well as efficiency improvements in traditional power production, with a focus on the green shift and CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage).
Research areas
Research and development here can include, among other things:
- Decarbonisation of combustion processes at atmospheric or elevated pressure, for example through the use of hydrogen and/or ammonia, and safety in connection with this
- Decarbonisation of process heat through high-temperature heat pumps using natural working fluids, as well as optimal utilisation of surplus heat
- Phase behaviour of CO2 during transport and storage, under varying temperature, pressure and possible impurities
- Cooling solutions that enable energy-efficient cooling of data centres
- New battery technology, including flow batteries, second-life use and reuse of old batteries, as well as general testing of new and commercial batteries at both cell and module level
- Systems, components and materials for both latent and thermochemical heat storage
- Alternative fuels for low-emission transport, including safety in connection with the use of ammonia and hydrogen
- Optimisation of thermal conversion processes, where the aim is, among other things, to utilise waste materials and other bio-based raw materials rather than fossil ones