University of Michigan - Flint

Faculty Name:  Quamrul Mazumder

Department:  CSEP

Campus Address:  213 Murchie Science Building

Email:  qmazumde@umflint.edu

Phone:  8107623397

Project Description:  Erosion due to solid particle impact on metal surfaces is a complex micro-mechanical process in which material loss occurs at the inner surface of fluid handling equipment. The micro-size solid particles entrained in the fluid results in material loss from wall of high pressure systems carrying toxic fluid can cause severe operational, safety and environmental problems. Severity of erosion has been observed in geometry with a rapidly changing flow direction such as elbow, bend, valve, turbine blade, pump and compressors with complex, turbulent internal flow. The turbulence behavior of entrained solid particles and their corresponding impact dynamics determines the magnitude and location of potential damage areas. Although a number of models have been developed to predict erosion in single and multiphase flows they mainly focused on the magnitude of erosion in terms of wall thickness loss or amount of material loss from the wall. While the magnitude of erosive wear damage mechanism and the corresponding magnitude have been studied, the influence of different parameters such as flow velocity, and particle size on location of damage has not been studied and not well understood. The importance of the location of maximum damage is equal or more than the magnitude of damage to equipment and system designer, engineers for improved safety and reliability of the systems and components and thus preventing unpredicted premature failure. This proposal outlines a series of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and complementary experiments which will result in fundamental understanding of the influence of various fluid, solid and flow parameters on magnitude as well as location of damage caused by micro-solid particle impact. The proposed work consists of the following specific objectives:

1. To evaluate numerical accuracy of CFD simulation of erosion in particulate flow
2. To investigate the effect of particle size and flow velocity on location of maximum erosive wear damage

Semesters Desired:  Fall 2009; Winter 2010

GSRA Position Description:

1. Perform literature search of relevant current and previous work.
2. Perform CFD analysis for different flow and fluids using FLUENT software.
3. Summarize results obtained from CFD analysis
4. Compare CFD analysis results and available literature data.
5. Write and submit conference papers reporting results of the research
6. Assist faculty advisor in research activities as required that are not listed above

Specific Day/Time Requirements:  Fridays between 10 AM and 2 PM and another day of the week as required by the faculty advisor. GSRA must work on fixed weekly schedule. Must attend weekly research meeting.

Special Requirements:

1. GSRA must meet faculty advisor prior to applying for the position.
2. Experience with CFD or desire and motivation to learn the software before starting work is required.
3. GSRA must submit timesheet and report to Faculty advisor/ Engineering Department office before and after work.
4. Weekly progress report of activity and assignment must be submitted to the faculty advisor.
5. Applicant must have ability to work hard, high level of motivation, problem solving ability, dependable, reliable, and have good communication skill.
6. Background or undergraduate in engineering, computer science or other related area is preferred.