Multi-Phase Flow

Multi-Phase Flow Research Theme

The Multi-Phase Flow Research Theme brings together a range of interests in numerical and experimental modelling of fluid and thermal processes that underpin many of the key challenges of science and engineering. We are particularly interested in applying our knowledge of complex mixtures of liquids, solids and gases to processes that deliver sustainable production of materials and energy. Our research into crystallisation, chemical looping, CO2 capture typifies the application of this research where we are developing techniques to manufacture novel chemical products, to enhance combustion of fuel and efficient separation of CO2. New modelling techniques for fluids are developed and applied to a range of challenging problems.

Laboratory scale facilities are supported by a range of instrumentation, both for model validation and detailed monitoring of experimental conditions. Larger scale experimental facilities provide our research team with opportunities to work with industry, examples of which include a large scale kettle reboiler, a unique tilting packed column absorber, oil and gas separator, continuous reactors, fluidised bed reactors. The large-scale kettle reboiler and other thermal units allow us to study boiling, condensation at scales which directly apply to systems found in the nuclear and power industry. Our COBRA laboratory gives researchers the opportunity to run continuous processing, manufacturing solid and liquid based products under laboratory conditions. One of our larger experimental units is a tilting gas-liquid contacting column used to study the performance of packed column absorbers on floating oil and gas processing platforms; currently used for Floating Liquefied Natural Gas plants.

Research Funding Our research work is supported by a mixture of UK regional and national research council funding and from industry. Industrial funding comes from companies with research centres spread across the world. Some examples of major awards are included below: EPSRC National Centre for Crystallisation and Continuous Manufacturing, supported by industrial funding from major pharmaceutical companies. EPSRC CO2 injection and storage - Short and long-term behaviour at different spatial scales EPSRC Cell-by-Cell: On Demand Assembly and Control of Microbial Communities for the Water Industry. Industrial funding from National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) supported by Sellafield Sites Ltd. FP7 Cooperation Work Programme, CCS – Sub-seabed CO2 Storage: ‘Impact on Marine Ecosystems. Scottish Funding Council Horizon Funding – Novel protein extraction processes. Impact of Sea Motion on FPSO absorption processes – supported by a number of international oil & gas companies.