Project Examples for Numerical Model Development and Application

Provided support to a confidential client for the analysis of a dense sediment effluent plume fate in the environment. Developed and applied a 3-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model based on the Open FOAM CFD model system. Additional modules were developed for Open FOAM to simulate the interaction of a negatively buoyant sediment plume and the variable density structure of the coastal water column to determine the fate of the plume including neutrally buoyant layer trapping, water column concentrations and sediment deposition patters in the near field.

The model results were used to compare with mixing zone boundaries and water column concentration criteria as well as deposition thickness.