Dr. Yap Yit Fatt graduated with a PhD from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, in 2007. He is currently an Associate Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khalifa University. With focused research interests in development and applications of numerical methods for moving interface problems in heat, mass and momentum transfers, his works include modeling of multiphase flows, phase-change heat transfer and particle erosion/deposition employing fixed mesh finite volume treatment of moving interface via the level-set method, enthalpy method and total concentration approach.
Droplet Dynamics in Droplet Deposition 3D Printing
Droplet Deposition 3D Printing (DD3DP) is a 3D Printing technique where feedstock is melted in a crucible, ejected from a nozzle in the form of small droplets and solidifies immediately upon impact on substrate to form multiple layers of solidified droplets constituting eventually a coherent three-dimensional structure. Droplets impact and their subsequent solidification is a moving boundary problem involving complex interplay between multiphase fluid flow and phase-change heat transfer. The project aims to further develop the knowledge base of droplet dynamics in DD3DP through a combined experimental and modeling study.
Modelling and Optimization of Fouling-Mitigated Heat Exchanger
Cross-flow heat exchangers are widely used in industries and projected to have increasingly higher demand in the coming years. Fouling frequently occurs in cross-flow heat exchangers and this reduces performance. To mitigate this, the design of cross-flow heat exchangers should account for fouling. One of the effective approaches is through topological optimization where the geometry of cross-flow heat exchanger is evolved under the constraints of maximizing heat transfer performance (MaxP) and at the same time minimizing fouling (MinF). The resulted Topologically Optimized Cross-Flow Heat Exchanger is referred to as MaxP+MinF TOCFHX. This study aims to develop such a cross-flow heat exchanger through comprehensive CFD modelling and topological optimization. Successful design will therefore be more economical with high heat transfer performance and yet less fouling maintenance.
Wax Deposition in Wellbore/Pipelines
Waxes are long-chain high-molecular weight paraffins with carbon numbers ranging from 18 to 65. Wax deposition in wellbore/pipelines is a significant flow assurance issue with substantial economic impact. Accurate prediction of wax deposition in wellbore/pipelines is required in devising economically viable preventive or mitigation procedure. This work aims to develop efficient, robust and accurate high resolution Physical Model for prediction of wax deposition in wellbore/pipelines.
Asphaltene Deposition in Formation Near Wellbore Region
Asphaltenes are the heaviest and most polarizable fraction of crude oil soluble in aromatic solvents such as benzene or toluene, but insoluble in light paraffinic solvents such as n-pentane or n-heptane. Asphaltene deposition is a serious flow assurance problem encountered in various stages of production. This work focuses asphaltene deposition in formation near wellbore region of which is difficult to remediate and lead potentially to irreversible formation damage: permeability and porosity reduction and wettability alteration from water-wet to oil-wet, and threatens productivity. The ability to predict asphaltene deposition through reliable predictive tools is extremely useful. It provides an accurate assessment of asphaltene deposition issue in production both in time and space to strategize cost effective preventive maintenance and economically viable remedial procedure if needed. This work aims to develop efficient, robust and accurate high resolution Physical Model for prediction of asphaltene deposition in formation.
PhD student position available for Modelling and Optimization of Fouling-Mitigated Heat Exchanger
