RAPID: Multi-phase Buoyant Plumes in Stratified Water Study relevant to Oil Spill Implications for the Gulf oil spill distribution

RAPID：与溢油相关的分层水中的多相浮力羽流研究对海湾溢油分布的影响

• 批准号: 1045653
• 负责人: Richard McLaughlin
• 金额: $ 9.95万
• 依托单位: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-09-01 至 2012-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1045653&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RAPID; Multi; phase; Buoyant; Plumes

With the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the behavior of oil plumes in the natural environment has come become a central question. Experiments performed in the University of North Carolina (UNC) Fluids Laboratory have shown that buoyant plumes can be trapped underwater at regions of strong density stratification. This project will explore the mechanisms leading to underwater trapping of multi-phase plumes like those forming in the ongoing Gulf spill. Specifically, the project will focus on fluid dynamics experiments in the density-stratified flow facility in the UNC Fluids Lab to better quantify the combined roles of turbulent mixing, strong ambient stratifications, plume buoyancy, and use of surfactants (dispersants) in creating under water trapped plumes. Theoretical closure models will be developed to interpret the experiments and guide field studies. Further research will include direct numerical simulations to explore plume behavior under the effects of high temperature, high pressure, internal waves, and shear associated with this current spill. The intellectual merit of this theoretical and experimental research includes developing a benchmarked model for actual oil plume distribution, residence time, and surface versus sub-surface oil fractions. Broader impacts of the research will involve disseminating results with other groups directly working on the Gulf Oil Spill, including those collecting data on the subsurface plume distribution. Additionally, the PIs will make results available to the petroleum industry and regulatory agencies such as EPA to assist in the understanding of current and future spills. The research project will also involve the education of two undergraduate researchers and create new outreach opportunities for high school students to participate in the UNC Fluids Lab.

随着最近墨西哥湾深水地平线漏油事件的发生，自然环境中油羽的行为已成为一个中心问题。 北卡罗来纳大学 (UNC) 流体实验室进行的实验表明，在强密度分层区域，浮力羽流可能被困在水下。该项目将探索导致水下捕获多相羽流的机制，例如正在发生的海湾泄漏中形成的羽流。 具体来说，该项目将重点关注北卡罗来纳大学流体实验室密度分层流设施中的流体动力学实验，以更好地量化湍流混合、强环境分层、羽流浮力以及表面活性剂（分散剂）在水下创造中的综合作用被困的羽流。 将开发理论闭合模型来解释实验并指导现场研究。进一步的研究将包括直接数值模拟，以探索与当前泄漏相关的高温、高压、内波和剪切力影响下的羽流行为。 这项理论和实验研究的智力价值包括开发一个针对实际油羽流分布、停留时间以及表面与地下油馏分的基准模型。 该研究的更广泛影响将涉及与直接从事海湾漏油工作的其他团体传播结果，包括那些收集地下羽流分布数据的团体。 此外，PI 还将向石油行业和 EPA 等监管机构提供结果，以帮助了解当前和未来的泄漏情况。 该研究项目还将涉及两名本科生研究人员的教育，并为高中生参与北卡罗来纳大学流体实验室创造新的外展机会。