Newcastle University

Roles and Responsibilities

School Laser Safety Officer.

Qualifications

1982   Ph.D., University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

1974   B.Sc.(Hons) in Mechanical Engineering, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Memberships

Associate Member of Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Previous Positions 

1980-82    Turbine Design Engineer with NEI Parsons.

1974-76    Graduate Apprentice with C.A. Parsons.

Teaching Interests:

Fluid Dynamics; Computational Fluid Dynamics.

I have previously taught courses in Turbomachinery, Gas Dynamics, Heat Transfer, Psychrometry and Wind Power. 

BEng/MEng/MSc Projects:

Computational and Experimental Investigation of Vortex Shedding from Bluff Bodies;  Unsteady Flow in Tube Banks;  Large Eddy Simulation of Turbulence;  Wind Turbine Flow Prediction;  Algorithms for Particle Image Velocimetry and Particle Tracking;  CFD Modelling of Boundary Layers;  Design of a Miniature Gas Turbine;  CFD applied to Shock Tube Problems;  CFD Validation Studies;  CFD for Free Surface Flows;  Use of Hot Wires for Reynolds Stress Measurement.

Research Interests:

Fluid Dynamics, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Turbulent Multiphase Flow, Experimental Fluid Dynamics: PIV and LDA.

Grants (PI):

2008-2011 (British Energy)  Gas-particle flows in gas cooled reactors.

1998-2001 (Cundall Johnston & Partners)  CFD models for buoyancy driven flows in buildings.

Other Grants (Participant): 

2007-2009 (EPSRC) Novel pdf-two-fluid models for particle transport in turbulent boundary layers.

1999-2001 (EU Framework5) GTPOM - Thermo-economic Optimisation of Whole Gas Turbine Plant.

Ph.D Supervision:

* Dispersion and Deposition of Heavy Particles in Turbulent Flows.  (2008-2011)

* Accuracy of Nominally 2nd Order, Unstructured Grid, CFD Codes.  (1999-2005) 

* Use of Computational Fluid Dynamics for predicting Natural Displacement Ventilation Flow in a Large Enclosure.  (2001-2004) 

* Theoretical and Experimental Studies of an Aerosol Coalescing Fibrous Filter.   (1996-1999)

* Rotor-Stator Interaction in Radial Flow Pumps and Fans at Shut-Off Conditions.  (1994-1997)

* The Optimisation of Steam Turbine Design.  (1994-1997) 

(* Principal supervisor) 

M.Phil. Supervision:

Low Flow and Shut-Off Performance of Centrifugal Pumps.  (2001-2003)

Projects

• Developing novel applications of PDF based models for studying disperse flows
  Project Leader(s): Dr David Swailes
• SARNET 2
  Project Leader(s): Prof Mike Reeks
• Turbulent Flow
  Project Leader(s): Dr Ian Potts

• Howell SA, Potts I. On the natural displacement flow through a full-scale enclosure, and the importance of the radiative participation of the water vapour content of the ambient air. Building and Environment 2002, 37(8-9), 817-823.
• Moller BF, Arriagada J, Assadi M, Potts I. Optimisation of an SOFC/GT system with CO2-capture. Journal of Power Sources 2004, 131(1-2), 320-326.
• Moller BF, Assadi M, Potts I. CO2-free power generation in combined cycles-Integration of post-combustion separation of carbon dioxide in the steam cycle. Energy 2006, 31(10-11), 1520-1532.
• Agnew B, Alaktiwi A, Anderson A, Potts I. Simulation of a combined Rankine-absorption cycle. Applied Thermal Engineering 2004, 24(10), 1501-1511.
• Knight R, Obana M, von Wowern C, Mitakakis A, Perz E, Assadi M, Moller BF, Sen P, Potts I, Traverso A, Torbidoni L. GTPOM: Thermo-economic optimization of whole gas turbine plant. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power 2006, 128(3), 535-542.
• Ameli SM, Agnew B, Potts I. Integrated distributed energy evaluation software (IDEAS): Simulation of a micro-turbine based CHP system. Applied Thermal Engineering 2007, 27(13), 2161-2165.
• Alabdoadaim MA, Agnew B, Potts I. Examination of the performance of an unconventional combination of Rankine, Brayton, and inverse Brayton cycles. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy 2006, 220(4), 305-313.
• Alabdoadaim MA, Agnew B, Potts I. Performance analysis of combined Brayton and inverse Brayton cycles and developed configurations. Applied Thermal Engineering 2006, 26(14-15), 1448-1454.
• Swailes DC, Potts I. Transient heat transport in gas flow through granular porous media. Transport in Porous Media 2006, 65(1), 133-157.
• Agnew B, Ameli SM, Potts I. A Simulation model of Integrated Distributed Energy Systems. Applied Thermal Engineering 2005. In Press.
• Halimic E, Ross D, Agnew B, Anderson A, Potts I. A comparison of the operating performance of alternative refrigerants. Applied Thermal Engineering 2003, 23(12), 1441-1451.
• Potts I. Fluid Mechanics. 2003.
• Frost TH, Anderson A, Agnew B, Potts I. Optimization of an air-cooled hybrid gas turbine cycle (Brayton/Ericsson). Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy 2003, 217(3), 233-238.
• Agnew B, Anderson A, Potts I, Frost TH, Alabdoadaim MA. Simulation of combined Brayton and inverse Brayton cycles. Applied Thermal Engineering 2003, 23(8), 953-963.
• Agnew B, Anderson A, Fisher EH, Potts I. Optimisation of an Ideal Absorption Refrigeration System. Energy 2002, 2(3), 186-191.