On 27 June, the Summer School “Thermophysical Properties of Fluids for Energy and CCS Applications: Modelling and Measurement” came to an end. It was organised by the Department of Energy as part of the European project ENCASE at the Piacenza Campus of POLIMI.

Under the direction of Prof. Manuele Gatti, the Summer School offered an opportunity for discussion and professional development with international experts on thermodynamic modeling and measurement methods relevant to the characterization of the thermophysical properties of fluids for the energy sector.

The Summer School welcomed by 46 participants from across Europe including PhD students from universities such as Delft University of Technology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Warsaw University of Technology, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Università di Bologna, IFP Energies Nouvelles, DTU, Chemnitz University of Technology, INSA Rouen Normandie, Université de Liège, Czech Technical University, École Centrale de Nantes, Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, TU Munich, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Università di Genova, INSA Lyon, as well as from Politecnico di Milano. Participants also included professionals from companies such as Eni, Techfem, Enereco, Technip Energies and Air Liquide.

Among the 16 speakers were professors from Politecnico di Milano and several leading international experts in the field from: Ruhr University Bochum (GER), National Institute of Standards and Technology (USA), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), TÜV-SÜD National Engineering Laboratory (UK), Delft University of Technology (NL), Technical University Dresden (GER), University of Lorraine (FRA), Technical University of Denmark (DK), Università di Bologna, University of Technology of Compiegne (FRA), Laboratorio LEAP, Institute for Energy Technology (IFE – NO), Imperial College London (UK).

The focus was particularly on equations of state, thermodynamic modeling, measurement methods, and practical applications. Dedicated sessions explored the use of computational software such as REFPROP and TREND, in relation to various types of pure fluids and mixtures: fluids relevant to the CCUS (CO₂ Capture, Utilisation and Storage) chain; next-generation refrigerants; working fluids for advanced thermodynamic cycles; and fluids for energy storage applications. 

The Summer School was enthusiastically received and garnered positive feedback from both participants and speakers, confirming the added value of a training experience that many hoped to replicate in the future.