SAILOR
Project information
Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Vowinckel
Duration: November 2023 until April 2024
funded by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA)
Project description
As part of our laboratory’s dynamic research initiatives, our group is dedicated to a harmonious blend of fundamental research that captivates the interest of industrial applications. The SAILORS project has emerged as a pivotal undertaking, driven by the need to comprehend the intricacies of sedimentation and spreading processes of fine particles suspended in seawaters. Rooted in the intersection of fundamental physics and real-world industrial challenges, SAILORS was conceived to address a specific concern posed by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA). NPRA’s ambitious plans for a new road and rail section between Arna and Stanghelle, Norway, incorporating extensive tunnels, necessitate the deposition of surplus stone in the nearby fjord, Sørfjorden. This stone, extracted through controlled blasting, contains a fraction of fine-grained sediments. SAILORS, at its core, seeks to provide critical insights into the settling rates and spread patterns of these fine-grained sediments (< 64 μm) deposited through a fallpipe into the fjord. By bridging the realms of fundamental research and practical industrial needs, our group actively contributes to shaping solutions with a tangible impact on infrastructure development and environmental sustainability.
The Sailors project is built upon two fundamental objectives: firstly, an in-depth exploration of the settling dynamics of fine particles in salty waters with varying salt concentrations, and secondly, the refinement of a Lamella Separator. Traditionally employed for water purification, the Lamella Separator is being tailored to optimize the sedimentation process of fine particles obtained from our fieldwork. At the heart of our laboratory’s pursuits is the thorough investigation of the flocculation process, a phenomenon where fine particles aggregate to form larger, settleable structures. Understanding flocculation process under controlled conditions is pivotal as it influences the settling behavior of particles in natural environments. Equally crucial is the examination of the stability of these aggregates under shear deformation and turbulence, as this mimics the settling conditions in the Lamella Separator and is essential for predicting and improving sedimentation processes. Additionally, our samples will undergo detailed analysis to determine their organic and inorganic composition, specifically focusing on Total Organic Carbon (TOC)