Seminar title: Numerical modeling of subsea oil and gas spills

February 25, 2022, 2-3 pm US central time.

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https://umsystem.zoom.us/j/98179706390?pwd=bUFSSElOaEhOY1llM0tRTEIyREtlUT09

Presenter: Dr. Anusha Dissanayake

Research Scientist

SINTEF Ocean, Norway

Abstract: Natural or accidental releases of subsea oil and gas can be of varying scales. A release can consist of a near-field dynamic plume for a large-scale release such as Deepwater Horizon Spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, followed by a passively transporting stage referred to as the far-field plume. The distribution and ultimate fate of hydrocarbons released to the environment depend on the ambient parameters such as current patterns, waves and stratification; and individual bubble and droplet parameters and processes such as rise velocities, heat and mass transfer, biodegradation and many others. Numerical models are a useful tool that predict the behavior of these plumes. They provide guidance for contingency planning and response activities associated with accidental spills. Further, they are used in assessing damages to the environment. Numerical modelling tools developed to simulate oil and gas releases will be presented along with immediate model improvements planned.

Speaker Bio: Dr. Anusha Dissanayake specializes in the area of Environmental and Hydraulic Engineering. Research focus is on contamination transport and multi-phase flows including development of near- and far-filled numerical models to solve problems involving fate and transport of solid particles, spilled contaminants, oil, gases, dissolved gases, marine aggregates, sewage, produced water, and heated water in deep/shallow water bodies. Most recent work focuses on numerical modeling of oil spilled on land; physical and biogeochemical interactions of marine snow, and oil spilled in the ocean and subsea releases of CO₂. The models developed are used in damage assessment, response and planning activities related to contaminant spills in the environment.

Seminar title: Novel Aerosol Measurement Techniques for Energy and Environmental Applications

March 11, 2022, 2-3 pm US central time.

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https://umsystem.zoom.us/j/93002181222?pwd=U3B2MnJGcWptd2UvWnZkT2lKK3c0UT09

Presenter: Dr. Yang Wang

Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Abstract: Accumulating evidence suggests that the global climate is changing as a result of human activities, where fossil fuels combustion is a dominant contributor. To mitigate this problem, we need to make rapid progress in developing new fossil fuel combustion technologies and manufacturing advanced materials for sustainable energy utilization. In order to control the particle emission from fossil fuel combustion and engineer the functionality of nanoparticles, a thorough understanding of the aerosol formation and growth dynamics is needed. This requires the development of novel techniques in quantifying the characteristics of aerosol particles. In this presentation, I will introduce three novel aerosol measurement techniques that fulfill these requirements by achieving a higher resolution of incipient particle measurement, a faster response of transient aerosol quantification, and a stronger network for air quality monitoring. First, a high-resolution differential mobility analyzer was used to measure particles below 3 nm with a significantly enhanced accuracy. It was applied to study the detailed formation mechanisms of combustion-generated particles and to optimize the performance of nanomaterials. Second, a fast-integrated mobility spectrometer was developed for high-speed measurements of aerosol size distribution. It was deployed onboard research aircraft to study the interaction between aerosol, cloud, and regional climate. Finally, a cost-effective particle sensor network was constructed to study the transport and human exposure to ambient aerosols. I will conclude my talk with an overview on the application of these novel techniques in broader energy and environmental issues.

Speaker Bio: Yang Wang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology. He obtained his Ph.D. degree from the Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis in 2017, and B.S. degree from the Department of Thermal Engineering at Tsinghua University in 2012. Between 2017 and 2019, he was a postdoctoral research associate at Brookhaven National Laboratory. His research focuses on aerosol instrumentation, high-temperature aerosol measurement, and functional nanoparticle synthesis. He worked on a fast-integrated mobility spectrometer (FIMS) that measures aerosol size distributions every 1 s, and high-resolution differential mobility analyzers (HR-DMAs) that measure particles with sizes down to 1 nm. Yang has authored and co-authored 42 peer-reviewed publications, and is the Outstanding Reviewer of the Journal of Aerosol Science. He is the recipient of the GAeF PhD Award during the 2019 European Aerosol Conference.