CSE/CSAR/TAM Seminar
T. G. Theofanous
University of California, Santa Barbara
DATE: Friday, October 22, 2004
TIME: 2:00 P.M.
PLACE: 2240 DCL
TITLE: Compressible Multi-Hydrodynamics: Emergent Needs, Approach,
and Status
ABSTRACT
The subject of this talk is multiphase flow under extreme conditions of
pressure gradients/transients, and phase differential speeds
(kilometers per second). Single-phase as well as multi-phase shocks are
important. Reflections/transmission at interfaces, including material
interfaces of extremely large density ratios, and acoustic impedance
mismatch are important too. We are interested in mixing phenomena and
eventual dispersal of the dense phase. Processes of interest may
involve pre-existing particulates, or evolving length scales via the
breakup of liquid and/or solid masses. The liquids may be Newtonian or
viscoelastic, the latter being rendered to varying degrees so by the
addition of polymeric substances of varying molecular weight,
cross-linking, and concentrations. The length scale evolution defines
the degree of coupling, both momentum and energy (cooling or reaction
effects, for example). Some of the areas of application include
inertial confinement fusion, energetic dissemination of liquids or
solids in the atmosphere, targeting of wild-fires using thickened
retardants, and innovative designs of rocket propulsion or internal
combustion engines.
I will discuss the nature of the issues, the technical challenges, and
our overall approach to these problems. a synthesis of experiments,
direct numerical simulations, and effective field modeling. I will also
give sample results from our three-year-long effort in this area.
BIOGRAPHY
Theofanis (Theo) G. Theofanous is professor in the Chemical Engineering
and Mechanical Engineering Departments at UCSB, and Founding Director
of the Center for Risk Studies and Safety (CRSS). He is a graduate of
the National Technical University of Athens, Greece, and holds a PhD
from the University of Minnesota, both in Chemical Engineering. Prior
to coming to UCSB in 1985, he taught at Purdue's Chemical Engineering
and Nuclear Engineering Departments, where he was also the Founding
Director of the Nuclear Reactor Safety Laboratory. Professor Theofanous
has worked on basic aspects of multiphase flows and of risk management,
and saw applications to completion on important safety, and
risk-management issues in both the chemical, and nuclear industries,
and as of recently in the domain of national defense. He consulted
extensively, and internationally, for industrial and governmental
organizations, and served on a number of National Research Council
panels, including the one that assessed the safety of the nation's
research and production (defense) reactors (nuclear) in the aftermath
of the Chernobyl accident. He is a member of the National Academy of
Engineering, a fellow of the American Nuclear Society, and he holds
an honorary doctorate from the University of Lappeenranta in Finland.
In 1997 he received the E. O. Lawrence Medal from the U.S. Department
of Energy for his work on managing risks of severe accidents in nuclear
power reactors.