The University of Sheffield
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Dr Robert J Howell

BEng, PhD (Cantab)

Dr Robert HowellLecturer in Experimental Aerodynamics

First Year Tutor and Intro Week Co-ordinator

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Sir Frederick Mappin Building
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
UK

Telephone: +44(0)114 2227725
Fax: +44(0)114 2227890

email : r.howell@sheffield.ac.uk

Profile

Dr Howell studied for his Ph.D. at the Whittle Laboratory of the University of Cambridge. His research, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, centred on the unsteady aerodynamics of present in low-pressure turbines, specifically in determining the flow physics involved in wake-blade interactions. This work resulted in the new so-called ultra high lift turbine design philosophy and allows new turbine designs with far fewer blades than had previously been possible. His postdoctoral research included turbine and compressor aerodynamics studies for Rolls-Royce and for Rolls-Royce Deutschland.

In 2002 Dr Howell joined Siemens (Power Generation division) in a role that included the aerodynamic design of a two-stage transonic turbine for a new industrial engine. Other work included turbine blade cooling and component life assessment, as well as initiating a collaboration with Czestochowa University of Technology to investigate shrouded turbine leakage flows and exhaust diffuser performance.

In 2006, he joined The University of Sheffield, as a Lecturer in Experimental Aerodynamics.

Areas of Research

Dr Howell's main areas of research involve vertical and horizontal wind turbine aerodynamic performance, as well as studies into the effects of geometry errors caused during the manufacturing processes for gas turbine blades. Other research includes active and passive control of separating flows for performance improvement of UMAVs and aerofoil sections for vertical axis wind turbines.

Research into wind turbine aerodynamic performance is carried out using both experimental models in the departmental wind tunnel as well as computational models (using Fluent). Dr Howell has developed a number of experimental facilities for the detailed performance evaluation of model vertical axis and horizontal axis wind turbines. These facilities also allow for the testing of other turbine rotor blades for industry and it is also possible to carry out computational analysis of such profiles.

Research Interests

Facilities

Large Scale Wind Tunnel Specifications:
Working Section: 1.2 x 1.2 x 3m
Maximum Velocity: 22m/s or 50 mph.
Contraction Ratio 6:1
Reynolds Number / m = 1.2x106

Teaching

MEC303 Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics

MEC380 Aircraft Design (Propulsion)

MEC435 Advanced Propulsion (Compressor/Turbine stage aerodynamics and Rocket propulsion)

Aerospace Group Design Project: Aerodynamics Support

Selected Publications

 

 

 

 

 

Books