ES4D6 River Mixing

Module Leader: Prof. I. Guymer

Co-lecturers: Dr J.M. Pearson

Module Information

Scope

This module is one of the fourth year modules for:

Core:	Optional:
None	Civil Engineering Mechanical Engineering

aims

This module aims to provide an insight and understanding of the physical processes contributing the overall mixing of soluble material within rivers. The module therefore contributes to a student's broader understanding of the impact of engineering on the environment.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module the student should be able to...

demonstrate an understanding of fluid mechanics applied to the dynamics of solute transport within environmental hydraulics.
apply robust engineering approximations to the solution of complex environmental challenges.
identify the scientific basis for predictions of solute mixing and transport, including travel time, delayed storage and the effects of transverse mixing.
appreciate the likely influence of such predictions upon design methodology, on legislation relating to the natural environment, on needs for engineering activity and on professional responsibility.
perform laboratory and field tests to study mixing processes and develop spreadsheet models to describe the processes.

Syllabus

Fickian diffusion and gradient flux relationships
Properties of Gaussian distributions, methods for evaluating coefficients
Techniques of super-position, constant and slug injections, boundary reflection
Advection processes and turbulence mixing mechanisms
Shear flow dispersion, vertical and lateral mixing
Effects of changes in channel shape
Longitudinal shear dispersion, frozen cloud approximations
Aggregated Dead Zone (ADZ) techniques, dispersive fraction
Dead zones and trapping mechanisms
Applications to the role of hydraulic engineering and hydrology in environmental management:
Natural channel influences on longitudinal mixing, curvature, discharge. Overview of multi-parameter models, modelling hyporheic storage. Using information from UK Environment Agency database, influences of urban drainage structures, manholes, wetlands, storage tanks and separators. Transverse and longitudinal mixing in meandering channels. Mixing in the nearshore of the coastal zone. CFD predictions and course review.

As a feature of the teaching or assessment of this module it may require field work or visits outside the University grounds.