Vijayakumar S

Thermal Engineer | Ph.D. Researcher | HVAC Systems Specialist

Chennai, IN.

About

Highly accomplished Thermal Engineer and Ph.D. researcher specializing in advanced refrigeration and HVAC systems, with extensive hands-on expertise in vapour compression, absorption, solar-assisted, and natural refrigerant-based cooling. Proven ability in thermal load calculations, heat exchanger design, system integration, and performance validation, consistently delivering energy-efficient and sustainable cold storage solutions. Adept at the full lifecycle of cooling systems, from design and fabrication to commissioning and troubleshooting, ensuring practical engineering implementation and optimal system performance.

Work

IIT Madras

|

Project Officer – Domestic Compact Solar Desalination & Cold Storage Project

Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

→

Summary

Currently leading the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a compact solar-powered cold storage system at IIT Madras.

Highlights

Led the end-to-end design and fabrication of a compact solar-powered cold storage system, specifically for domestic applications, enhancing energy independence.

Successfully integrated advanced PV and solar thermal subsystems with refrigeration, optimizing system performance and sustainability.

Currently evaluating the system's cooling rate, storage efficiency, and stability under tropical conditions to validate real-world performance.

Adithya Inst. of Tech. (AIT)

|

Assistant Professor – Dept. of Mechanical Engg.

Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India

→

Summary

Educated and mentored mechanical engineering students while contributing to departmental academic and research initiatives.

Highlights

Taught core Mechanical Engineering courses, including Thermal Engineering, Thermodynamics, and Refrigeration & HVAC, to over 200 students annually.

Mentored and guided numerous undergraduate and postgraduate student projects, fostering practical research skills and technical innovation.

Contributed to departmental academic planning and curriculum development, enhancing program relevance and student outcomes.

PA Polytechnic College

|

Lecturer - Department of Mechanical Engineering

Pollachi, Tamilnadu, India

→

Summary

Provided foundational instruction in Mechanical Engineering, preparing students for technical careers.

Highlights

Delivered foundational lectures and practical sessions in Mechanical Engineering, preparing 150+ students for technical careers.

Supervised laboratory experiments and workshop activities, ensuring hands-on learning and skill development in mechanical processes.

Provided academic support and counseling to students, contributing to improved learning outcomes and student retention.

Education

IIT Madras

Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
→
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering Grade: 8.5/10

Courses

Measurements in Thermal Engineering

Refrigeration Machinery and Components

Sorption, Refrigeration and Heating System

Utilisation of Solar Energy

Design and optimisation of Thermal Equipments

SNS College of Tech.

Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
→
M.E. Thermal Engineering Grade: 9.481/10

Courses

Measurements in Thermal Engineering

Refrigeration Machinery and Components

Sorption, Refrigeration and Heating System

Utilisation of Solar Energy

Design and optimisation of Thermal Equipments

Dr. Mahalingam CET

Pollachi, Tamilnadu, India
→
B.E. Mechanical Engineering Grade: 7.67/10

Courses

Measurements in Thermal Engineering

Refrigeration Machinery and Components

Sorption, Refrigeration and Heating System

Utilisation of Solar Energy

Design and optimisation of Thermal Equipments

Awards

HTRA Scholarship

Ministry of Education, Government of India

Awarded a prestigious scholarship supporting Ph.D. research in Mechanical Engineering from 2019 to 2024.

Gold Medal – Branch Topper in M.E. Thermal Engineering

SNS College of Technology, Coimbatore

Recognized as the top-performing student in M.E. Thermal Engineering.

Publications

Assessing thermo-hydraulic performance: Enhanced evaporation in modified plate heat exchangers.

Int. J. Refrig.

Assessing thermo-hydraulic performance: Enhanced evaporation in modified plate heat exchangers.

Development and performance evaluation of solar absorption cold storage system for tropical climates.

Sol. Energy

Development and performance evaluation of solar absorption cold storage system for tropical climates.

Experimental insights into heat transfer and pressure drop: Copper spray coated vs. plain gasket plate heat exchangers.

TSEP

Experimental insights into heat transfer and pressure drop: Copper spray coated vs. plain gasket plate heat exchangers.

Experiments on a solar vapour absorption refrigeration cold storage system.

Proc. EuroSun Conf.

Experiments on a solar vapour absorption refrigeration cold storage system.

Certificates

New Product Development in CNC Machining

Kriatec Services

Advanced Diploma in TPM (Total Productivity Management)

TÜV Rheinland

Skills

HVAC & Refrigeration Systems

Vapour Compression Systems, Absorption Refrigeration, Solar-Assisted Cooling, Natural Refrigerants, Thermal Load Calculation, Pull-down Analysis, Equipment Sizing, Heat Exchanger Design (Evaporator, Condenser, Plate Heat Exchanger), Cold Storage Systems, System Integration, Commissioning, Troubleshooting.

Thermal Engineering & Analysis

Energy Modelling, COP Evaluation, Performance Analysis, Heat Transfer, Fluid Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Experimental Validation, Design and Optimisation of Thermal Equipments, Measurements in Thermal Engineering.

Technical Software & Tools

Aspen Plus, Aspen Exchanger Design and Rating, Ansys Fluent, SolidWorks, AutoCAD.

Research & Development

Technical Documentation, Design Reports, Specifications, Experimental Design, Data Analysis, Scientific Publication, Problem-Solving.

Projects

Advanced Plate Heat Exchangers for Enhanced Cooling using Modified PHEs

→

Summary

Research project focused on fabricating and testing modified plate heat exchangers to enhance heat transfer and energy efficiency in VCR systems.

Spray-Coated Heat Exchangers for Energy Efficiency

→

Summary

Project focused on surface-engineering corrugated plate heat exchangers to improve thermal performance and energy efficiency.

Solar Absorption Cold Storage System for Tropical Climates

→

Summary

Designed and built a 3.5 kW solar absorption cold storage system for tropical climates, focusing on performance evaluation.

Electronic Equipment Cooling using Water, Ethanol, and Petrol Mixture

→

Summary

Developed a closed-loop thermosyphon system to cool high-heat-flux electronic equipment using various fluid mixtures.