Objective
Participants in this research project share a common interest in swirling fluid jets, either from the standpoint of commercial exploitation, or fundamental scientific curiosity, or both. Swirling fluid jets can be created and studied in various ways, in nature and technology. The three project applications - seabed excavation, vessel propulsion and underwater cleaning, use jets formed by ducted-propellers and static swirl generator nozzles. Swirling jets are known to exhibit novel behaviour: thus, at a particular axial-to-swirl velocity ratio, a columnar jet can suddenly splay out into a plane-wall cone, with the primary flow energy being concentrated in the form of a thin conical sheet. Conical fan-jets, as they are known, have demonstrable utility for seabed excavation, and significant potential for the other two applications. However, they only exist over a limited range of flow parameters, and are susceptible to disturbances, which can cause dramatic and often undesirable changes in jet topology. Through preliminary R&D in the area of seabed excavation, means have been found to better control the formation and stability of conical jets. Provisional patents (held by one of the SMEs) cover basic design for the three application areas, and act as a catalyst for the project. However, to fully realise the inventions' cutting-edge potential, and enable the SMEs to jointly exploit the technology, detailed research into swirling jet dynamics and kinematics is required. RTD Performers have been purposely chosen with these research goals in mind, and to create an integrated, highly focussed, project team. Apart from the anticipated commercial-cum-scientific advancement for participants, potential Community benefits stemming from this research include: a more sustainable and environmentally-appropriate method of maintenance dredging; a more energy-efficient method of propelling and manoeuvring vessels at slow speed; a less hazardous means of underwater cleaning.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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.
Topic(s)
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.
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.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2003-SME-1
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
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.
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.
Data not available
Coordinator
ERITH
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.