Dispersion effectiveness has been tested at various scales, but the comparison of the scales remains a challenge. In the past, researchers have characterized the hydrodynamics in the laboratory scale vessels (ex. baffled flasks) and wave tanks (ex. Ohmsett) to various degrees, however the scalability between systems is a challenge due to the complexity of the apparatus and the disparity in systems. The challenge is to identify the necessary parameters, such as energy dissipation rate and dilution, needed to model dispersion effectiveness across scales.
To accomplish this goal, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) will be used to identify and test dispersion effectiveness parameters and compare modeled results to previous scaled experiments. The purpose of this project is to create a numerical model using dispersant effectiveness data acquired at various scales and under various conditions to correlate effectiveness between systems. These updated models will be used predict dispersion effectiveness at the ocean scale using inputs derived from smaller scale experiments. This work will be done through contract with New Jersey Institute of Technology, with a value of $363,389 and projected end date of June 30, 2026.
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