Overview
Background
Dr. Yuanshen Lu began his current role at the University of Queensland (UQ) as a DECRA Fellow and Lecturer in September 2019. Previously, he was a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Griffith University, following several years of postdoctoral research experience at UQ. He received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 2015.
Dr. Lu’s primary research interests lie in energy conversion and thermo-fluids within conventional and renewable energy systems, as well as hydrogen utilization. His current work focuses on heat engines (e.g., supercritical CO₂ power cycles), turbomachinery (e.g., wind turbines), and heat management in energy systems, including applications in heat exchangers, cooling towers, ground-source heat pumps, and thermal management in hydrogen-based steelmaking processes.
Dr. Lu is actively engaged with industry and has contributed to sectors such as thermal power generation, coal seam gas, HVAC, renewable energy, and steel industry. Leveraging his expertise in advanced experimentation and modeling, he is dedicated to driving innovations in energy harvesting, power consumption, and energy savings across a range of renewable applications. Dr. Lu currently serves as UQ’s Program Leader in the Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute (ASTRI) program, leading the Power Conversion team in developing supercritical CO₂ power cycles. He is also the Deputy Director of the Centre for Multiscale Energy Systems (CMES) at UQ.
Availability
- Dr Yuanshen Lu is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Central South University
- Masters (Extended) of Engineering - Mechanical, Central South University
- Doctor of Philosophy of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
My main interests are energy conversion and management at both system and single component/mechanism levels. Typical topics I work on include supercritical CO2 Brayton or organic Rankine thermodynamic cycles, heat exchangers, cooling towers, and waste heat managements of internal combustion engines/other industry processes.
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Renewable energy systems and green hydrogen usage
I am interested in thermo-fluids problems in renewable energies, working on projects including momentum turbomachinery such as wind/tidal turbines, direct usage of solar thermal such as solar stills, and ground source heat pumps as well as renewable-based HVAC. In the hydrogen sector, my primary research involves advanced modeling of H2-based steel-making processes and hydrogen transport & storage networks.
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Fluid mechanics
My interests are in fundamental fluid mechanics problems, including natural convection, plume theory, vortex, and porous media.
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Experimental thermo-fluids
I have extensive experience in in-lab or on-site experiments as well as flow visualization for energy components and systems. I specialize in designing and setting up novel experimental techniques and facilities tailored to specific demands.
Works
Search Professor Yuanshen Lu’s works on UQ eSpace
2012
Conference Publication
Investigation of pre-cooling with Munters media for air-cooled geothermal power plants performance enhancement
He, S. Y., Gurgenci, H., Guan, Z. Q. and Lu, Y. A. (2012). Investigation of pre-cooling with Munters media for air-cooled geothermal power plants performance enhancement. 2012 Australian Geothermal Energy Conference, Sydney, Australia, 14 - 16 November 2012. Canberra, Australia: Geoscience Australia.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Yuanshen Lu is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
evaporative refrigeration systems using liquid desiccants
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alexander Klimenko, Dr Xiaodong Ma
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Doctor Philosophy
Artificial tornado enhancing cooling towers/chimneys: mechanisms and engineering implementation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Vincent Wheatley
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Doctor Philosophy
Control mechanisms of small-scale vertical axis wind turbines and their optimizations
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Richard Yan
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Master Philosophy
Benchmark testing of REACH engine conversion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alexander Klimenko
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Doctor Philosophy
Hydrogen production network and energy transition in Queensland and Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alexander Klimenko
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Doctor Philosophy
Analysis of complex hydrogen energy networks for Australian conditions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Archie Chapman, Dr Alexander Klimenko
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of sub-grid scale turbulent combustion closure models for hydrogen-based combustion
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alexander Klimenko
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Doctor Philosophy
Predicting project performance using stochastic multiscale modelling
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alexander Klimenko
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Doctor Philosophy
A Numerical Analysis into the Effects of Hydrogen Blending in a Hybrid Reciprocating Diesel Engine
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alexander Klimenko
Completed supervision
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
A Study on Swirling Plume Enhanced Natural Draft Dry Cooling Towers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alexander Klimenko
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Yuanshen Lu directly for media enquiries about:
- Energy conversion and storage
- Energy efficiency and management
- Fluid mechanics modelling
- Geothermal heat pumps
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
- Industrial cooling
- Power cycles
- Renewable energy systems
- Renewable-based hydrogen
- Solar thermal energy
- Wind and tidal energy
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