Fluid-structure interaction

The interaction between the fluid forces on vessel walls and their resulting deformation is studied both experimentally and numerically. Work with reinforced rubber (hyperelastic) structures has been investigated in duck-billed check valves with an industrial partner. A large (14 inch diameter, 6000gpm) water flow loop is used to examine the highly deformable elastomeric structure and the flow through it. Numerical modeling is based on coupling of finite element analysis (FEA) for the structural deformation and finite volume based CFD.

A similar project using many of the same tools has investigated the behaviour of the human aorta and the blood flow inside it through the full cardiac cycle.

NOx production in Electric Arc Furnaces

NOx emissions are highly regulated in most industries and the steel industry is no exception. NOx is traditionally produced by high temperature, long residence time combustion, which is what occurs in the freeboard of electric arc furnaces. Reducing infiltration air into the furnace and using staged combustion at the 4th hole are then key ways to reduce NOx production, although process data suggests that this may not have a large effect. The role of the arc in NOx formation is not clear and is related to foamy slag properties.

Additional research interests include:

Process metallurgical flows, including diverse combinations of multiphase flows, heat and mass transfer, buoyancy and chemical reactions

Flows in bioreactors, particularly chromatography columns which, surprisingly, share a great deal of flow physics with premixed combustion.

Boundary layer flows and the manipulation of near wall turbulence using riblets

Aerodynamics of sails