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Philip Bowen  BSc, PhD, CEng, FIMechE, FInstP, FLSW

Professor Philip Bowen

BSc, PhD, CEng, FIMechE, FInstP, FLSW

Emeritus Professor

School of Engineering

Overview

Phil graduated with First Class Honours in Pure & Applied Mathematics, completing his PhD in numerical modelling of complex fluids in complex flows (1990). He spent 5 years working for Shell Research at Thornton Research Centre studying very large multi-phase explosion hazards after the Piper-Alpha disaster in the North Sea, before joining the Energy Group at Cardiff School of Engineering in 1994. He was awarded his Chair in 'Energy Systems' from Cardiff University in 2004. Phil led the £7.8M project (2004-7) to relocate the former UK Defence Evaluation Research Agency (DERA) national gas turbine combustion research facility from Farnborough (Pyestock) to Port Talbot, launched by former Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan in 2007. The rebranded Gas Turbine Research Centre (GTRC), for which Phil is founding Director, has since been enhanced to enable studies of multi-component fuel mixtures relevant to electrical power generators, and also optical combustors enabling laser-based interrogation of the combustion and emission processes. He also co-founded the RCUK Centre for Integrated Renewable Generation & Supply (2007-), and Wales' first cross-institutional Energy Research Centre (WERC, 2006). He has launched three new MSc courses one in Sustainable Energy and two in ICT/Entrepreneurship. Between 2008-12 Phil was the first Director of Innovation and Engagement within the School of Engineering, and was the School's Director between 2012-15, during which time he led the School to being ranked 1st in the UK for Research Impact, and 1st and 7th in the UK for Research Quality in Civil and General Engineering respectively (in the UK Research Excellence Framework, REF-2014). Phil founded and is co-Director of Cardiff's 'Energy Systems' University Research Institute (ESURI, 2015-), which encompasses 10 Schools across Cardiff University ranging from Engineering, to Geography and Planning, to Psychology.  
Phil has been awarded over £30M as PI/CI from over 100 grants, published over 200 peer reviewed publications and supervised to completion 30 PhD students over 22 years as an academic. He has served on many national and international executive/steering committees, including the Institute of Physics' 'Combustion Physics' group (Chair 2009-12), the EU Biofuels Technology Platform (2008-11), the IEC International Standards committee for Area Classification of Explosive Atmospheres. He currently serves on the International Energy Agency (IEA) Technology Collaboration Programme (for Combustion and Emission Reduction), RCUK 'Energy' strategic advisory committee (2014-), British Section of the Combustion Institute (2014-), Trustee for UK Explosion Liaison Group (2007-). He has provided specialist advice and consultancy to government and a range of multi-nationals including Ricardo, DNV, BP, Exxon-Mobil, Shell, etc. He has been invited to present keynote addresses worldwide and has won several awards for his research.        

Energy and Environment

Publication

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1998

  • Comer, M., Bowen, P. J., Sapsford, S. M. and Johns, R. A. 1998. The transient effects of line pressure for pressure-swirl gasoline injectors. Presented at: 14th ILASS-Europe '98, Manchester, UK, 6-8 July 1998Proceedings of the Fourteenth International Conference on Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems. Manchester: Manchester UMIST: Atomization and Sprays Research Group pp. 364-370.

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  • Valera Medina, A., Mashruk, S., Pugh, D. and Bowen, P. 2022. Ammonia. In: O'Connor, J., Noble, B. and Lieuwen, T. eds. Renewable Fuels: Sources, Conversion, and Utilization. Cambridge University Press, pp. 245-274., (10.1017/9781009072366.011)
  • Bowen, P. J. 2003. What is petroleum?. In: International Flame Research Foundation Online Combustion Handbook. IFRF

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Research

Contracts

TitlePeopleSponsorValueDuration
UndergroundDr C Syred, Dr T O'Doherty, Prof AJ Griffiths, Prof KP Williams, Prof PJ BowenNational Assembly for Wales (KEF)8076601/08/2006 - 01/07/2008
Contribution to aircraft engines PM certification requirement and standard - Sample IIIMarsh R, Crayford AP, Bowen P, Morris S,European Aviation Safety Agency via Rolls Royce46089916/12/2010 - 30/11/2014
Magnetic movement valve for miller cycle operation of engines (MOVEMAG)Syred N, Bowen PJCommission of European Communities 11865601/12/2002 - 30/11/2004
Study on sampling and measurement of aircraft particulate emissions - SAMPLEMarsh R, Bowen PJCommission of European Communities5604501/01/2009 - 30/11/2009
H2-IGCC Low Emission Gas Turbine Technology for Hydrogen-rich SyngasMarsh R, Bowen PJEuropean Commission (FP7)55669101/11/2009 - 31/12/2013
Novel atomisation for efficient combustion of complex liquid fuels (e.g. biofuels, heavy-end fuels).Marsh R, Bowen PJStork Thermeq3000001/10/2008 - 30/09/2011
Studying sampling and measuring of aircraft particle emissionsMarsh R, Bowen PJ, Morris SMEuropean Aviation Safety Agency52147811/12/2009 - 10/12/2010
Enhanced scientific understanding of an effervescent atomizerMarsh R, Bowen PStork Thermeq B.V2000001/10/2013 - 30/09/2016
Oxyfuel and exhaust gas recirculation processes in gas turbine combustion for improved carbon capture performanceMarsh R, Bowen P, Griffiths AEPSRC via University of Edinburgh8130601/03/2013 - 28/02/2014
Selective exhaust gas recirculation for carbon capture with gas turbinesMarsh R, Bowen P, Valera-Medina AEPSRC109989101/10/2014 - 30/09/2017
Gas turbine research and test centre for traditional and sustainable technologiesBowen PJThe National Assembly for Wales (European Regional Development Fund)385000024/02/2006 - 30/06/2008
Early stage research training in integrated energy conversion for a sustainable environment (INECSSE)Syred N, Griffiths AJ, Bowen PJ, O'Doherty TCommission of European Communities 25513501/03/2006 - 28/02/2010
LCRI - SOLCER ENG R ENG WEFO LCRI BOWEN SOLCERBowen PWelsh European Funding Office5345701/09/2012 - 28/02/2015
Comparison and analysis of particulate matter formation from aero and auto enginesBowen PRICARDO UK LTD2500001/10/2010 - 30/09/2013
LCRI - SOLCER ENGBowen P JWelsh European Funding Office5345701/09/2011 - 31/08/2014
Analysis of ultrafine particulate emissions from the transport sectorBowen P J, Crayford ARolls Royce4200001/10/2010 - 01/10/2013
BRISK- The European Research Infrastructure for Thermochemical Biomass ConversionBowen P J, Valera-Medina AEC (FP7)26493001/10/2011 - 30/09/2015
BP acetic acid burningBowen P J,Crayford A, Morris SStage 1 and 2 & Phase 2b - BP Amoco Chemical Company18557901/02/2012 - 31/08/2013
Analysis of ultrafine particulate emissions from the transcript sectorBowen P, Crayford ARolls Royce4200001/10/2010 - 01/10/2013
Technical experiments and investigations to generate mist and sprayBowen P, Crayford AGexCon AS1200003/10/2013 - 22/04/2014
Mist Explosion HazardsBowen P, Crayford A, Morris SHealth & Safety Executive10000025/05/2012 - 30/09/2015
Spray Quality Measurements for scaled size 2 y-jet atomizersBowen P, Kay PStork Thermeq BV510501/03/2011 - 30/04/2011
Spray quality measurements for a series of Y-jet and internal mix atomisersBowen P, Kay P, Marsh RStork Thermq3216502/11/2010 - 30/04/2011
Advanced gas turbine cycles for high efficiency and sustainable future conventional generationBowen P, Marsh R, Crayford A, Valera-Medina AEPSRC via Imperial College London44349401/04/2015 - 31/03/2018
Flexible and Efficient Power Plant: Flex-E-PlantBowen P, Marsh R, Morris S, Valera-Medena AEPSRC via Loughborough35059701/03/2013 - 30/09/2017
NRN advanced engineering and materialsBowen P, Porch A, Tasker PJSer Cymru NRN AEM Swansea500001/09/2013 - 31/08/2018
Gas turbine research and test centre for traditional and sustainable technologiesBowen PJVarious Industry 49100024/02/2006 - 30/06/2008
Fast, particulate analyserBowen PJNational Assembly for Wales (KEF)8812501/09/2007 - 31/03/2008
Characterisation of fuel injection processesBowen PJRicardo Consulting Engineers Ltd 2800001/10/2002 - 01/10/2005
Source term characterisation for atmospheric dispersion modelBowen PJDet Norske Veritas Ltd 3000001/11/2002 - 01/02/2004
Gas turbine research and test centre for traditional and sustainable technologiesBowen PJQinetiQ Ltd 297393224/02/2006 - 30/06/2008
Gas turbine emissions and environmental impactBowen PJQinetiQ Ltd2028801/10/2006 - 01/04/2010
Fuel spray characterisationBowen PJRicardo Consulting Engineers Ltd 3200001/02/2003 - 01/07/2004
Characterisation of 'spray-guided' bio-fuel GDI sprays - codename 'Volcano'Bowen PJRicardo Consulting Engineers Ltd10701309/02/2009 - 08/02/2010
Joule Institute for sustainable energy researchBowen PJHigher Education Funding Council for Wales 100000001/04/2004 - 01/04/2005
Characterisation of fuel injection processesBowen PJRicardo Consulting Engineers Ltd 400001/10/2002 - 01/10/2005
Coal Research ProjectGriffiths A, Bowen P, Marsh RTata Steel Strip Products Uk Ltd26958319/03/2012 - 30/09/2015
Coal Research ProjectGriffiths A, Bowen P, Marsh R, O'Doherty TTata Steel Strip Products Uk Ltd5000019/03/2013 - 30/09/2015
Astute - Advanced Sustainable Manufacturing TechnologyNaim M (CARBS), Setchi R, Bigot S, Brousseau E, Prickett P, Davies A, Bowen P, Packianather M, Grosvenor RI (with CARBS)WEFO190311701/05/2010 - 30/04/2015
Centre of Excellence for research in energy waste and environmentProf N Syred, Dr AJ Griffiths, Mr MP Alanou, Dr C Bates, Dr PJ Bowen, Dr JA Brandon, Dr HP Evans, Dr CA Featherston, Dr KM Holford, Prof FD Pooley, Dr DM O'Doherty, Dr T O’Doherty, Prof RW Snidle, Prof J Watton, Dr KP Williams, Dr Y XueWelsh Development Agency 30000001/05/2001 - 30/04/2004
Characterisation of an SCR spray, using waterProf PJ BowenRicardo Consulting Engineers Ltd 1250001/01/2006 - 01/10/2006
Experimental characterisaton of a spray guided DI injector for 2 operating conditionsProf PJ BowenRicardo Consulting Engineers Ltd 1700001/12/2005 - 31/08/2006
Large-scale verification data for flashing jet modelProf PJ BowenDNV400001/06/2006 - 01/12/2006
R & D Centre in sustainable gas turbine power - phase 1Prof PJ Bowen, Prof AJ Griffiths, Dr T O’Doherty, Prof N SyredWelsh Development Agency35000001/11/2004 - 30/04/2005
Evaluation of a large energy intensive site to determine if centralised electricity generation and steam distribution is preferable to local generationO'Doherty T, Marsh R, Bowen PJ, Syred N, Griffiths AJ, Williams KPEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council78476201/10/2009 - 31/03/2013
WIMCS FellowshipBowen PJNational Assembly for Wales (HEFCW)7966001/10/2009 - 30/09/2011
Novel fuel atomisation conceptsDr PJ BowenRicardo Consulting Engineers Ltd 1825001/12/2003 - 01/01/2005
Direct numerical simulation of droplet-gas systems for power generation applicationsDr PJ BowenEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council 7032031/12/2001 - 27/02/2005
BIOMASSDr T O'Doherty, Prof AJ Griffiths, Prof N Syred, Prof KP Williams, Prof PJ BowenVarious Sources3884001/08/2006 - 01/07/2008
BIOMASSDr T O'Doherty, Prof AJ Griffiths, Prof N Syred, Prof KP Williams, Prof PJ BowenVarious industry25778001/08/2006 - 01/07/2008
BIOMASSDr T O'Doherty, Prof AJ Griffiths, Prof N Syred, Prof KP Williams, Prof PJ BowenNational Assembly for Wales (KEF)54584401/08/2006 - 01/07/2008
Alternative Fuels, Low Emission, Safe Power GenerationBowen PJ,Welsh European Funding Office84412001/09/2011 - 30/06/2014
Feasibility Study for High Pressure Combustion Testing Facility in Port TalbotBowen PJ, Morris SMWELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT5000001/01/2010 - 31/03/2010
Planar laser diagnostic techniques for in-cylinder engine validationBowen PJ, O'Doherty TRicardo Consulting Engineers Ltd3000001/01/2006 - 01/01/2009
Preparation work to establish the Low Carbon Research InstituteBowen PJ, Prof PJ Jones (ARCHI)National Assembly for Wales2807701/01/2008 - 31/03/2008
Establish an Intermediate Pressure, High Mass Flow Gas Turbine Combustor Test Facility as a Commercial R&D Facility at EMC2: Feasibility StudyBowen PJ, Syred N, Morris SMNational Assembly for Wales (A4B)1565101/01/2009 - 31/03/2009
Active sensing of exhaust particulates using a smart vertical nanowire arrayBowen PJ, Crayford ASer Cymru Swansea NRN AEM3000001/07/2015 - 30/06/2018
Spray quality measurements for a series of Y-jet and internal mix atomisersBowen PJ, Kay PStork Thermeq3216502/11/2010 - 30/04/2011
Low Carbon Research Institute & CIREGSProf HR Thomas, Prof P Bowen, Prof A HaddadNational Assembly for Wales (HEFCW)60958201/04/2008 - 31/03/2013
Centre for integrated renewable energy generation and supply (CIREGS)Thomas HR, Haddad A, Bowen PJ, (with PHYSX)EPSRC357670101/01/2008 - 30/06/2013
Decoupled Green Energy SupplyValera-Media A, Bowen PJ, Marsh R, Crayford ATSB (Innovate UK)28500001/01/2015 - 31/12/2017
Combustion characteristics of ammomia-based mixtures for power-generation applicationsValera-Medina A, Crayford A, Bowen P, Marsh RSiemens AG16100001/04/2014 - 30/09/2014
Provision of services towards the development of a public European environmental model suite for aviationCrayford A, Bowen P, Marsh REuropean Commission15674201/01/2015 - 31/12/2016

Supervised Students

TitleStudentStatusDegree
Novel Designs in Radial TurbomachineryALFORD Adrian GrahamGraduatePhD
DESIGN OF A CONDENSATE RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR HUMIDIFIED ADVANCED TURBINE CYCLES - SPECIALISATION - MECHANICAL AND THERMAL ENGINEERING.AL DOBOON Ali Ibraheem MohammedCurrentPhD
Flame stability limits with different fuels for gas turbine combustors. (Mechanical Engineering/thermal power).ALSAEGH Ali Safa NouriCurrentPhD
Calculations and Experiments on y-type Stirling enginesWAGNER AndreasGraduatePhD
ENHANCED SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF AN EFFERVESCENT ATOMISER.NILAND AndrewCurrentPhD
Suppression of Methane-Air Explosions with Water in the Form of "fine" MistsCRAYFORD Andrew PhilipGraduatePhD
Alternative Fuels and Technology For Internal Combustion EnginesGILES Anthony PeterGraduatePhD
Combustion Hazard Quantification of Accidental Releases of High-Flashpoint Liquid FuelsMARAGKOS AntoniosGraduatePhD
Investigating The Fundamentals Of Liquid-Fuelled Pulse Detonation EnginesMAJITHIA AshishGraduatePhD
TWO PHASE THERMOFLUID PROCESSES IN POWER SECTORJAMEEL Atheel ShukerCurrentPhD
Premixed combustion of alternative fuels under varying conditions of temperature and pressure.BAGDANAVICIUS AudriusGraduatePhD
Parametric Study of the Influence of Operating Conditions, Atomiser Geometry and Fluid Viscosity on Effervescent AtomisationKONSTANTINOV Dancho DanchevGraduatePhD
Propagating Laminar Flam Characteristics for Single and Two Phase Alternative Fuel MixturesDE LA ROSA URBALEJO DanielGraduatePhD
PARTICULATE MATTER HAZARD ANALYSISJONES David AlanGraduatePhD
Charaterisation of Particulate Matter Emitted from Aviation Gas Turbine and Spray-Guided Direct Injection Gasoline EnginesWALTERS David MarkGraduatePhD
Temporal Characterisation of Various 6-DI Fuel Injector ConceptsMORRIS David WynGraduatePhD
NOVEL CHARACTERISATION OF COMBUSTION GENERATED 'ULTRAFINE' PARTICULATE MATTER.DURAND Eliot FaustinCurrentPhD
SIMULATION AND VALIDATION OF USE OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS IN GAS TURBINESHATEM Fares A HatemCurrentPhD
Integrated Physical and Chemical Modelling of Pulse CombustorsMOMAHEDI-HERAVI HamidGraduatePhD
FUEL FLEXIBILITY AND PLANT EFFICIENCY FOR FUTURE GAS TURBINE ENGINESKURJI Hayder JabbarCurrentPhD
Effects Of Geometry and Gas Composition on Swirling FlowsBAEJ HeshamGraduatePhD
Thermosacoustic studies on alternative fuels for aeroderivative engines.XIAO HuaCurrentPhD
Critical Analysis of Combustion Characteristics of the Cardiff Cloud CombusterPINK Ian PhilipGraduateMPhil
PREPARING FOR TOMORROW'S ENERGY TODAY: POLICY-BASED FUEL STUDY IN GAS TURBINE COMBUSTIONRUNYON Jon PatrickCurrentPhD
Combustion Hazards for Liquid FuelsMOUZAKITIS KyriakosCurrentPhD
AEROSOL EXPLOSION HAZARD QUANTIFICATIONCAMERON Lee Robert JamesGraduatePhD
ESTIMATION OF THE PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS OF THE SHALE GAS PRODUCTION BY EVALUATING THE RISK OF HYDRAULIC FRACTURING ACTIVITIES.MAYEN ESPINOSA Lizbeth ValeriaCurrentPhD
Novel PLIF Techniques for Analysis of G-DI Spray DynamicsALONSO RINCON Mario AlbertoGraduatePhD
TRANSIENT G-DI FUEL SPRAY CHARACTERISATIONCOMER Martin AnthonyGraduatePhD
Flasback and Blowoff Characteristics of Gas Turbine Swirl Combustor.ABDUL SADA MohammedGraduatePhD
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES AND NUMERICAL MODELLING OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGIN/HEAT TRANSFER.AL MOSALLAM Mohammed Bakir MohsenCurrentPhD
Heat transfer analysis towards the boundary layer and its impacts on flashback for highly enriched hydrogen blends. (Mechanical Engineering/thermal power).ALBOSHMINA Najlaa Ali HusseinCurrentPhD
Convective Heat Transfer using Nano-Particles (Specialisation - Mechanical Engineering/ Thermal Power Mechanics)FATLA Oula Muhammed HadawiCurrentPhD
Characterising Thermofluid Spray Dynamics For Energy-Efficient Automotive EnginesKAY Peter JohnGraduatePhD
EVALUATION OF VORTEX COOLING SYSTEMS FOR TURBINE BLADESAL-AJMI Rashed MohsenGraduatePhD
MODELLING OF COMBUSTION PROCESSESMARSANO StefanoGraduatePhD
A missions measurement in full flexible gas turbinesMASHRUK Syed Ahmed RiasadCurrentPhD
STUDIES OF SOOT AND CARBON BLACK FORMATION BY INCOMPLETE COMBUSTION AND THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF NATURAL GASGRUENBERGER Thomas MarkusGraduatePhD
Source Term Models For Superheated Releases of Hazardous MaterialsCLEARY Vincent MartinGraduatePhD
Direct Numerical Simulation of Droplet Gas Systems using the Spectral Element TechniqueZHENG YuGraduatePhD
Measurement Techniques And Characterisation Of Combustion Species At operating Conditions Relevant To Gas TurbinesSEVCENCO Yura AlexanderGraduatePhD
ALTERNATIVE AND MICRO PROPULSION SYSTEMSDULAIMI Zaid Maan HasanCurrentPhD

Teaching

Risk and Hazard Analysis in the Energy Sector
Covers the traditional methods and processes for managing technical risk and hazards  - including industrial lectures from a range of sectors - and how these may (or may not) be applicable whilst moving into a more uncertain future including climate change, population growth, water shortage, etc.

Thermodynamics
Covers thermodynamic cycles and their analysis for reciprocating engines (e.g. automotive), gas turbine engines (e.g. aero or power generation), refrigeration and heat pumps

Fuels and Energy Systems
Encompasses the use of various fuels for supplying heat and power in the past, current and future energy systems.

Biography

Professional memberships

  • Evidence to House of Commons Welsh Affairs Select Committee on Energy Policy (2006)
  • Proposed and Founding Member of the Welsh Energy Research Centre (WERC), (2003-5), www.welshenergy.org
  • International Flame Research Foundation (IFRF) ‘Online Handbook’ Editorial Board (2002-)
  • EPSRC Collegiate Member (2002-5)
  • Full Member of Steering Board of University of Wales Institute of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics (2002-)
  • Steering Committee member of Institute of Physics Combustion Group (2003-)
  • Consultant to BP - Explosion Protection and Environmental Impact (2001-04)
  • Consultant to Ricardo Consulting Engineers - Lean-Burn Engines (2002)
  • Adviser to UK HSE during ‘Lessons to be Learnt’ phase of Cullen Enquiry - Ladbroke Grove fatal train crash & fireball (2002)
  • Adviser on Marine Crankcase Explosions, QinetiQ, Lloyds, Inst.MarE, (2003).
  • International advisory group (sole UK invitee); ‘Oil-Well Blowouts in Arctic Regions (Alaska)’ -  Exxon-Mobil, Virginia, USA (2001).
  • Consultant to Det Norske Veritas concerning atmospheric modelling of two-phase ‘flashing’ releases of hazardous material (2000-04)
  • Risk/hazard consultant to BOC-Edwards (2005)
  • Adviser to Inst. Marine Engineers concerning ‘Crankcase Explosions’ in Marine Diesel Engines (2003)
  • Invited Keynotes: von-Karman Institute of Fluid Mechanics Lecture Series, Belgium (2003); IFRF TOTEM 30, Hawaii (2007).
  • Two invited chapters in von Karman Institute Monograph on ‘Multiphase Flow and Industrial Hazards’ (2003)
  • IEC committee (31J/MT60079-10-1) updating international standard ‘Classification of areas-Explosive Gas Atmospheres’, Sydney (2007).
  • Invited participant in 7th Belgo-British Conference (sole UK ‘Energy’ academic) on ‘Globalisation and the Citizen’, Brussels (2006) (www.britishcouncil.org/brussels-europe-belgo-british.htm).
  • Institute of Energy Townsend-BCURA award for best international paper on Coal Utilisation (1997)
  • External examiner (PhD theses) for leading UK universities and reviewer for major journals in fields of interest

Contact Details