Project description
Advanced understanding of turbulent multiphase flows in engineering processes
Many natural and industrial processes including chemical reactors and oil and gas extraction involve two or more distinct phases (such as liquid, gas, or solid) and exhibit turbulent motion. The interactions between these phases can be complex, leading to a wide range of behaviours and dynamics. Understanding and controlling these turbulent multiphase flows is crucial for optimising performance and efficiency of applications. The ERC-funded FragTuRe project aims to develop a universal theory for the fragmentation of droplets and bubbles in turbulence. It involves a multidisciplinary approach that combines theoretical investigation, experimental techniques and shape reconstruction. Project findings are expected to advance our understanding and control of turbulent emulsification processes in engineering.
Objective
Droplets and bubbles are omnipresent in many environmental and industrial applications that involve atomization and emulsification processes, and the ability to control the size of these dispersed elements in turbulent multiphase flows is essential for design and optimization purposes. Despite the importance of the fragmentation of one fluid in another one by turbulent eddies, a universal theory applicable to a majority of the scenarios is still missing. Following the seminal work of Hinze on characterizing the size of the largest stable droplets in turbulence known as Kolmogorov-Hinze theory, I aim to revisit this concept with a novel deterministic approach through theoretical investigation, experimental characterization, and numerical simulation. In my recent contribution, I have presented a novel description for the Hinze scale based on the concept of enstrophy transport across the scales in turbulence, which could serve as the basis for my deterministic approach to studying turbulent emulsification. By providing the theoretical basis for sustained homogenous isotropic turbulent flows, I will measure the spectral rate of enstrophy transport rates by the vortex stretching, surface tension, and other relevant mechanisms in a drop-laden turbulent flow in the lab using tomographic PIV and shape reconstruction. Furthermore, by performing direct numerical simulation (DNS), I will explore the situations where experimentation may be limited such as highly-dense emulsifications and surfactant-laden environments. The simulations will provide a large dataset based on which we could generate a universal theory for emulsification in turbulent drop-laden and bubbly flows. The FragTuRe project revisits the fundamental understanding of turbulent fragmentation by a concept that has not been employed before and aims at generating a novel case-independent universal correlation for the Hinze scale that is essential in many engineering applications.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-STG
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4040 Linz
Austria
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