Fluids research

In this COST Action project, members of the Fluids Research Group  are collaborating with EU colleagues to develop the concept the Energy Island to combine three energy resources: wind, wave and solar. As part of this project, they are looking at the available wind energy resources in European waters to identify the best location for Energy Islands taking into account physical and environmental constraints. Once the conceptual design of the Island is complete, sustainability analysis will be carried out using both Life-Cycle Analysis and Cost-Cycle assessment.

Modular Energy Islands for Sustainability and Resilience

Figure: The concept of Energy Island

Contact: Hassan Hemida.

This project is sponsored by Network Rail. Wind loads can contribute significantly to the structural loads for Overhead Line Equipment (OLE). This in turn may have significant implications for the design suitability and spacings of OLE structures.

The aim of this project is to improve understanding of wind induced loads on OLE structures to inform future design parameters for OLE installations, specifically to provide more accurate drag coefficient values of the overhead catenary and contact wires and how they deflect in different wind scenarios. Wind tunnel testing, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and Finite Element Analysis are being used in the investigation.

Figure: The catenary wire mounted in the UoB atmospheric wind tunnel and surface pressure from CFD results.

Contact: Hassan Hemida.

This project was sponsored by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB). The project aims to determine how exhaust emissions and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) interact to impact levels of air pollution onboard passenger trains and establish the factors that can be changed to improve air quality. The main objectives were:

• Develop a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation model for the interaction between exhaust gas and HVAC.
• Establish the role of different design and operational factors that influence air quality onboard trains.
• Develop industry guidance for using CFD analysis and provide recommendations on design considerations to improve the air quality.

CLEAR: Air Quality on Trains- HVAC and Exhaust Interactions Study (T1234).

Figure: The catenary wire mounted in the UoB atmospheric wind tunnel and surface pressure from CFD results.

Contact: Hassan Hemida.

Humans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. Hence indoor air quality indoor air quality is of critical importance for public health. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of air quality on the exposure to and transmission of respiratory diseases and the current lack of knowledge and tools achieving for healthier indoor environments. Prominent experts in the field called for a paradigm shift to tackle the spread of airborne pathogens and pollutants in indoor environments. They compare such change to collective transformative public health efforts in improving water sanitation in the 19th century or in food quality and safety standards during the 20th century. Such a step forward will change indoor air pollutant concentrations and exposure, assessment of which will require reliable predictive tools – indoor air quality models - to support researchers and underpin assessment of exposure and hence health impacts.

Figure: Three-dimensional simulation results of ventilation in a room coupled with chemical reactions.

Sponsored by the Met Office, this project develops a comprehensive Indoor Air Quality Emissions & Modelling System (IAQEMS) with four key outputs comprising three modelling and one measurement component. It addresses a key existing shortcoming for the understanding of IAQ by modelling air dispersion at high temporal and spatial resolutions and implements a fully coupled physico-chemical model based on Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) of the key indoor spaces experienced by the UK population. This will provide a step-change in our ability to predict air pollution indoors, particularly hot spots and in the context of a changing ventilation paradigm, with wide reaching implications. This Chem-LES tool is based on the code Multiflow3D. In addition, we are developing a simpler, flexible multi-box model (MBM-Flex Tool) that can be applied to any indoor environment at modest computational cost together with an underlying Pollutant Inventory Tool. These three tools are evaluated against tailored measurement campaigns in five key indoor spaces.

 Contact: Bruño Fraga.

Sponsored by UKRI, Fusion Forest is a radically novel and interdisciplinary approach to design our future treescapes. We face a challenging scenario, where tree cover needs to be increased: the UK government has set out a 25-year programme to plant 180,000 hectares of trees by 2042 and to increase the woodland cover to 12% by 2060. Meanwhile there is an alarming increase in tree epidemics. These outbreaks, favoured by increased disease portability, chemical resistances and climate change, compromise the future of our woodlands, producing a dramatic loss of biodiversity and resources. We propose a proactive strategy where new plantations are designed from the onset to halt and suppress diseases using their natural immunity. Fusion Forest achieves so by cutting through discipline boundaries and establishing synergies among the latest discoveries and techniques in tree immunity, ecological modelling and fluids modelling.

Fusion Forest seeks to understand how to stimulate priming of defence in trees by using careful combinations of species and lowering the disease pressure. In parallel, the project incorporates the often-overlooked spatial component of forest canopies and uses forest heterogeneity to our advantage, creating physical barriers that complement and enhance the ecological ones. To do so, we design a new interdisciplinary modelling framework - named ForestFlow - that brings together forest growth models and computational fluid dynamics. The understanding gained from the ecophysical model, complemented by eld and laboratory measurements, allows for a change of paradigm in the way we confront tree epidemics. The response to tree disease outbreaks is mostly reactive, focused on monitoring, chemical treatments and tree felling, with the subsequent environmental and economic costs. Working alongside our partners (landowners, woodland managers, technological companies and policy makers), Fusion Forest will provide the means to prepare forests for outbreaks ahead of their occurrence, reducing critically mitigation costs. Forecasting pathways of transmission opens the door to new strategies to halt the spread of pathogens, that will no longer be assumed to be inevitable. Combining physical and biological barriers for pathogens in our forests is a ground-breaking idea, and Fusion Forest will generate tools and specific guidance to ensure this synergy.

Contact: Bruño Fraga.

BuildAir seeks to incorporate the infection risk component in building codes and design guidelines, whilst providing comprehensive tools and frameworks to make it possible. This overarching idea is motivated by the clear lack of preparedness revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially regarding indoor spaces. The number of outbreaks of airborne respiratory diseases such as measles, tuberculosis or influenza is increasing and their human and economic impact, worldwide and in the UK, is enormous. Enhanced global disease portability opens the door to new epidemics. Yet, our level of response has not evolved significantly since 2020. Despite numerous advances in research and innovation, ventilation guidelines do not address specifically airborne transmission in most built environments.

Buildair brings together a highly interdisciplinary team of 20 researchers. We have identified five areas where there are relevant research questions that need novel and enhanced cross-disciplinary understanding. Our vision is to co-deliver a novel holistic framework to proactively assess airborne infection risk in built spaces. This framework will bridge the gaps between modelling and monitoring risk infection whilst incorporating human behaviour and mental health considerations. We will co-develop the novel idea of using artificial intelligence and digital twins to establish effective links among these different areas. Our vision is not restricted 'a priori' to a single pathogen, a specific technological development or a particular built space. Instead, we aim to create an extendable and flexible framework that can incorporate a variety of scenarios and consider different levels of vulnerability. This framework will provide the new understanding needed to create comprehensive guidelines and protocols.

The delivery of this project emphasises the engagement of the research team with end-users and stakeholders. We will analyse, expand and select the proposed research ideas with the highest transformative potential and gather the datasets and expertise that will ensure their delivery in the context of one or several inter-disciplinary award programmes. This team is supported by our project partners, UKSHA, Siemens, Ansys, Hertfordshire County Council, BIOREME, and sponsored by UKRI.

 Contact Bruño Fraga.

IntelWATT is a EU Horizon 2020 funded project which aims to create Intelligent Water Treatment Technologies for water preservation. This is being combined with energy production and material recovery in energy intensive industries. As one of 20 international partners, University of Birmingham has contributed through the design and development of a high-pressure reverse osmosis system for use in the metal plating industry. Based on unique batch reverse osmosis technology invented by our group, the system recovers toxic chromium from the wastewater of a metal plating plant serving the German automotive industry. It reduces energy consumption about 50 times, enabling the chromium and other chemicals to be reused in the plating process. 

intelWATT | Intelligent Water treatment for water preservation | H2020

Figure: High-pressure batch reverse osmosis system at University of Birmingham

Contact Philip Davies.

INDIA H2O is about developing high-recovery, low-cost water treatment systems for saline groundwater and wastewater. The project is jointly supported by the EU Horizon 2020 programme and the Department of Biotechnology, India.

We are focussing our efforts on the arid state of Gujarat where salinity is a widespread problem. The University of Birmingham has developed a high-recovery reverse osmosis system that can convert a large fraction of saline groundwater into clean drinking water.

Working together with our partners at Pandit Deeyandal Energy University in Ghandinagar, we are developing two field trials of this technology. One of these is based in a village in the coastal region of Gujarat where it will purify the groundwater as well as providing irrigation for salt-tolerant crops.

This solution is energy efficient and driven by solar. The projects draws together expertise from Denmark, Netherlands, Spain as well as UK and India. 

Low-cost Water Treatment Systems | INDIA-H2O

Figure: Field trial at Lodhwa in India, bottling of product water for local market, and cultivation of Salicornia at the project site

Through this data-driven approach, the project has successfully identified network areas highly susceptible to disruptions from tree and leaf fall, as well as regions where drought conditions could potentially cause incidents and delays.

In its forthcoming second phase, SLAWP plans to leverage machine learning techniques to create predictive models, thereby facilitating more proactive and efficient maintenance of railway lineside assets. 

Contact Philip Davies.

SLAWP is a project funded by Network Rail Southern Region, which aims to improve railway lineside asset performance in extreme weather conditions. This goal is achieved by evaluating Network Rail's existing weather thresholds, assembling extensive datasets that encompass asset features, such as performance and failure, in relation to pertinent weather conditions, and by systematically categorising and scrutinising faults with a particular emphasis on train delays. Through this data-driven approach, the project has successfully identified network areas highly susceptible to disruptions from tree and leaf fall, as well as regions where drought conditions could potentially cause incidents and delays. In its forthcoming second phase, SLAWP plans to leverage machine learning techniques to create predictive models, thereby facilitating more proactive and efficient maintenance of railway lineside assets. 

Figure: Frequency Heat map of Treefall incidents across the Southern Region

Contact: Soroosh Sharifi.

STORMS is an UKRI-funded project aiming to develop a comprehensive weather-related risk assessment framework for buried infrastructure, which include cables and pipes vital to our daily lives. The framework will be applied to understand the potential impacts of weather events and climate change on these infrastructures. The project team will also co-develop adaptation measures with stakeholders to increase resilience to these extreme events.

The aim will be accomplished through five interrelated work packages. This includes: 1) creating a broad-scale modelling methodology for hydrological conditions; 2) identifying current and future hydrological and meteorological scenarios posing risks to buried infrastructure; 3) employing advanced hydrodynamic modelling and vulnerability analysis to understand how buried pipes and cables respond to varying conditions; 4) integrating the developed models and datasets for a comprehensive risk assessment; and 5) co-developing resilience and adaptation strategies with stakeholders.

The project is expected to deliver significant societal and economic impacts. By enhancing decision-making capabilities among infrastructure operators and utility companies, the research can lead to fewer service disruptions, potential cost savings, and increased resilience of infrastructure systems in the face of meteorological shocks and climate change. Contacts: Xilin Xi, Soroosh Sharifi.

Figure: Numerical and experimental study of climate impacts on buried pipes

This project is about using state-of-the-art techniques to monitor and predict flow and fouling phenomena in a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination system at a microscopic level. The focus is on optimising a batch RO system which uses a cyclic unsteady process, which has the advantage of lower energy consumption and reduced risk of fouling. This is done computationally using a high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method of direct numerical simulation (DNS) and experimentally using a visualisation and measurement technique known as micro-Particle Image Velocimetry (micro-PIV). This is subsequently integrated into a membrane module scale using reduced-order modelling, before tested on a full-scale practical system.

Figure: Flow and fouling studies in membrane channel of an RO system

Contact: Philip Davies.

The increasing demand for energy in water treatment can potentially be met by harnessing waste heat from both natural sources (such as solar and geothermal energy) and human activities (like desalination plant effluents and shale gas produced water). The NID2WATER project, funded by UKRI through a EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship, introduces a novel approach called Non-Isothermal Donnan-Dialysis aimed at reducing energy consumption in water pre-treatment beyond traditional isothermal methods. Donnan dialysis is known for its ability to selectively filter ions with relatively low energy input. NID2WATER explores this technique under a temperature gradient at both molecular (nanometer) and bench scales. We have developed a microfluidic-nanofluidic system that offers detailed insights into how ion transport behaves under varying temperatures. Additionally, we are working on a membrane-based setup to validate and compare these findings. Our approach combines experimental methods with theoretical studies in non-equilibrium thermodynamics to expand the capabilities of smart water filtration for sustainable water treatment. The culmination of this project involves integrating NID2WATER with a batch-reverse osmosis system at the University of Birmingham, with the goal of achieving a 70% recovery rate of critical elements like lithium from concentrate streams.

Figure: Nanofluidic chip used in NID2WATER

Contact: Philip Davies.

Constructed wetlands research at the University of Birmingham is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and aims to compare woody and herbaceous constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment and greenhouse gas emissions. The University has 8 pilot scale wetlands testing the use of herbaceous and woody constructed wetlands for treating synthetic wastewater at a tertiary stage any measuring their greenhouse gas emissions. This research will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the wastewater treatment sector and improve nutrient removal to help make rivers cleaner. 

Figure: Pilot scale constructed wetlands at the University of Birmingham

Contact Dee Phillips/Philip Davies.

Home to nearly two million people including 1.4 million refugees, the blockaded Gaza Strip has long struggled with severe electricity shortages. According to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), this acute energy crisis is pushing Gaza Strip to the verge of disaster with serious implications on health, water and sanitation sectors. Currently, only 38% of Gaza’s electricity needs are met, leading to people receiving less than 6 hrs per day and hospitals providing minimal services supporting only critical functions such as intensive care units. This electricity crisis coupled with the continuous conflict causes high levels of stress that affects people’s physical, mental health and well-being. With Gazan and UK partners, this project aims to assess the impact of electricity shortage on the health and well-being of the general population including refugees, and to co-develop a novel pilot plant to provide clean and affordable electricity using the abundant solar energy.

Figure: Solar Energy System installed at Women Health Centre in Jabalia Refugee Camp, Gaza Strip.

Rising populations, rapid economic development and environmental degradation are reducing water availability in Egypt. Clean cooling is essential for food security through enhancing agriculture and animal production from greenhouses and dairy farms. Egypt has abundance of land, sunny weather and high wind speeds, making it ideal for renewable energy projects.

This project aims to support capacity building at Egypt - Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) through developing researchers’ skills to carry out high impact research in areas most relevant to Egypt national priorities and engaging with the wider community and policymakers. This will be achieved through comprehensive knowledge transfer program on Metal Organic Framework (MOF) adsorption heat pump technologies including training, workshops, seminars and dissemination of findings in academic conferences and journals.

Figure: Adsorption heat pump for water desalination and cooling applications
using advanced Metal Organic Framework Materials.