This course provides an introduction to continuum modelling of environmental and industrial situations and to the physical processes of diffusion, convection and solidification. Often flows are driven by differences in density within an inhomogeneous fluid, caused by salinity or temperature differences or the presence of suspended sediment. A hierarchy of approaches are presented for the analysis of these buoyancy driven flows, ranging from dimensional analysis which may supplement empirical results, to models using partial differential equations based upon the principles of mass, momentum and energy conservation. A wide range of applications is introduced including transport and mixing in rivers, dispersion in ground water flows and the atmosphere, natural ventilation within buildings, flows in porous media, freezing and melting processes and two-phase flows. For each application, due consideration is given to the scope and appropriate level of complexity of models.
Turbulence is a key feature of many environmental flows.
Simple models are developed, based on global conservation principles, for plumes, jets and gravity currents, and Reynolds averaging is presented for more detailed modelling of the flows. A range of topics are introduced with the aim of developing the students ability to apply their modelling and mathematical skills. The topics are chosen from practical, environmental or industrial problems. Each student submits a written report on each topic for assessment. Students who have already taken equivalent courses may choose another M.Sci.