Full Center Proposal for an I/UCRC for Multiphase Transport Phenomena
0934374 Michigan State University (MSU); Charles Petty 0934338 University of Tulsa (UT); Ram Mohan
The purpose of this proposal is for the Center for Multiphase Transport Phenomena (MTP) to complete the fifth year of the first five-years (Phase I). MTP is a multi-university Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) with Michigan State University (MSU) as the lead institution, and the University of Tulsa (UT) as an additional research site.
The Center focuses on the development and validation of Multiphase Transport Phenomena (MTP) models and computational methods motivated by problem-oriented research such as, advanced filtration processes, multiphase separation processes, advanced fuel sprays, coking furnaces, and fuel cells. During the fifth year of operation, the Center will focus on two signature technologies: the cross flow filtration hydrocyclone in support of cleaning produced water on offshore platforms; and, next generation multiphase turbulent models in support of computational fluid dynamics. Both of these initiatives are expected to have a significant and transformative impact on engineering design and education in the area of multiphase transport phenomena.
The Center provides new industrial interactions, support of pre-doctoral and post-doctoral students, and opportunities for undergraduate and graduate student training. The early training of students in the Center will catalyze the integration of research and education in the field of multiphase transport phenomena. The Center has set up a program for recruiting, mentoring, and retaining minority and women graduate students in engineering. These students will also participate in weekly meetings with other minority students as part of a university wide program. Industrial internships for Center graduate students have been an essential element of the training and technology transfer mission of the MTP I/UCRC. Several former students are presently full-time employees of member companies and serve as advisors to the Center. If awarded a Phase II in the near future, the Center plans to initiate an international research component in the area of produced water in collaboration with universities and petrochemical companies in Brazil and elsewhere.
I/UCRC-MTP OUTCOMES Multiphase transport phenomena and mechanistic modeling are important complementary frontier areas of engineering science and education that directly impacts traditional and emerging energy production technologies. In response to a need to address pre-competitive research related to multiphase transport phenomena and mechanistic modeling, a group of multidisciplinary faculty at Michigan State University (MSU) and The University of Tulsa (UTulsa) organized an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) for Multiphase Transport Phenomena (MTP) under the auspices of the National Science Foundation (NSF). I/UCRC-MTP was established as an NSF Center on December 15, 2003. The Center closed on July 31, 2011. Ten partner organizations and companies with a strong interest in the design, operation, maintenance, and safety issues associated with multiphase processes participated in the Center. The primary mission of the Center was to develop next generation computational transport phenomena models in support of discovery and innovation in science and engineering. More than thirty three (33) graduate and undergraduate students participated in the Center. Industrial members served as mentors to graduate students and provided industrial internships for students affiliated with the Center. Nineteen (19) students earned Master-of-Science degrees in engineering and fourteen (14) students earned PhD degrees in engineering. More than twelve faculty members have participated in the Center since 2003. Pre-competitive focus areas of Center research included the design and testing of cross flow filtration hydrocyclone separators for liquid/liquid separation and numerical simulations of single phase and multiphase flows in complex geometries. Ongoing research on the possible use of ceramic membranes (and other filtration barriers) for liquid/liquid separation may provide a practical means for cleaning water produced by oil and gas operations. Complementary Center research on mechanistic modeling of hydrocyclone flows by Jose Severino (MS, 2007) and Reynolds stress modeling of turbulent flows in rotating and non-rotating frames-of-reference by Karuna S. Koppula (PhD, 2009) will have a transformative impact on engineering design and education in the area of computational transport phenomena. Seminal results of this research are archived in the following two references: Jose Severino, 2007, "Mechanistic Modeling of Solid-Liquid Separation in Small Diameter Hydrocyclones", Master of Science Thesis, Department of Petroleum Engineering, The University of Tulsa Karuna S. Koppula, 2009, "Universal Realizable Anisotropic Prestress Closure for the Normalized Reynolds Stress", PhD Dissertation, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University.
