PhD studentship: Stability of core-annular flow in the presence of soluble surfactant

OPPORTUNITY DETAILS

Total reward

0 $

State University

University of Nottingham

Area

Central and Eastern Europe

Host Country

United Kingdom

Deadline

10 Mar 2021

Study level

Doctoral Degree

Opportunity type

PhD

Specialities

Mathematics , Physics

Opportunity funding

Not funding

Eligible Countries

This opportunity is destined for all countries

Eligible Region

All Regions

Reference SCI1974

Closing Date Wednesday, 10th March 2021

Department Mathematical Sciences

Supervised by Dr Anna Kalogirou

This project will be based at the University of Nottingham in the School of Mathematical Sciences.

A core-annular flow is a multi-phase flow of two immiscible liquids of different viscosities and/or densities, where one liquid moves through the core of a cylindrical pipe and another liquid forms an annular ring along the wall. Core-annular flows are useful in a wide range of practical applications including oil recovery and transport. In a steady flow the interface separating the two phases is concentric with the pipe wall, but interfacial waves are often required in order to enhance transport. It is possible to control the flow to a desired state by using various techniques, for example by adding chemical compounds called surfactants that affect the interfacial tension.

This project will consider a two-layer core-annular flow in a three-dimensional cylindrical pipe. The main objective will be to examine the effect of soluble surfactants on the flow stability and explore the underlying nonlinear dynamics. The project will combine analytical and numerical techniques with aim to develop, analyse and solve appropriate mathematical models for the study of core-annular flow with soluble surfactants.

Relevant publications: [1] S. A. Kas-Danouche, D. T. Papageorgiou and M. Siegel (2009) Nonlinear dynamics of core-annular film flows in the presence of surfactant. J. Fluid Mech. 626, 415–448.

[2] A. Kalogirou and M. G. Blyth (2019) The role of soluble surfactants in the linear stability of two-layer flow in a channel. J. Fluid Mech. 873, 18–48.

Subject Areas: Applied Mathematics, Fluid Dynamics

Funding Notes: Competition funded project open to European/UK students only. Tuition Fees will be paid, and a full stipend provided at the RCUK rate (£15,285 per annum for 2020/21). There will also be some funds available to support conference attendance. The scholarship length will be 3.5 years.

Eligibility/Entry Requirements: We require an enthusiastic graduate with a 1st class degree in Mathematics, preferably at MMath/MSc level, or an equivalent overseas qualification (in exceptional circumstances a 2:1 class degree, or equivalent, can be considered).

It is highly desirable that the successful applicant is familiar with one or several of the following topics: fluid mechanics, mathematical modelling, asymptotic analysis, PDEs, numerical methods. While experience with more than one of the aforementioned mathematical fields would be beneficial, the willingness to learn and engage with all of them is an absolute necessity. The project requires the student to have experience with a scientific computing software package or programming language such as MATLAB, Fortran and/or Python.

For any enquiries please email Anna.Kalogirou@nottingham.ac.uk.

This studentship is open until filled. Early application is strongly encouraged.