Flow generated by ducted surface pumps: buoyant jets at high Reynolds numbers and low Froude numbers. Ducted surface pumps are used in reservoirs to circulate and destratify the water in order to maintain its general quality and reduce the incidence of toxic algal blooms. This project aims to improve our understanding of the circulation and mixing behaviour of the large, low velocity jets, plumes and fountains created by these pumps. Computational fluid dynamics, laboratory and field studies wil ....Flow generated by ducted surface pumps: buoyant jets at high Reynolds numbers and low Froude numbers. Ducted surface pumps are used in reservoirs to circulate and destratify the water in order to maintain its general quality and reduce the incidence of toxic algal blooms. This project aims to improve our understanding of the circulation and mixing behaviour of the large, low velocity jets, plumes and fountains created by these pumps. Computational fluid dynamics, laboratory and field studies will be used to model and map these flow fields. The findings will have a number of potential applications including methods for improving water quality in and downstream of storages.Read moreRead less
Qualitative and quantitative modelling of hydraulic fracturing of brittle materials. Few technologies have caused more concern in the general population than the so called hydraulic fracturing technique, applied to enhance the hydraulic conductivity of resource-bearing rocks by injecting high pressure fluids. The concern revolves around uncertainty with leakage of used chemicals to overlying aquifers, unwanted seismic events and surface subsidence. This research, combining experimental and compu ....Qualitative and quantitative modelling of hydraulic fracturing of brittle materials. Few technologies have caused more concern in the general population than the so called hydraulic fracturing technique, applied to enhance the hydraulic conductivity of resource-bearing rocks by injecting high pressure fluids. The concern revolves around uncertainty with leakage of used chemicals to overlying aquifers, unwanted seismic events and surface subsidence. This research, combining experimental and computational investigations, aims to establish fundamental understanding of key processes controlling fracture formation in brittle materials (coal seams and porous rocks) under the action of hydraulic fracturing. The research outcomes will help to assess and minimise the risks associated with the hydraulic fracturing technology. Read moreRead less