Dynamic break up of soft glassy materials
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Sch of Physics & Astronomy
Abstract
This project is inspired by current industrial problems encountered whilst drilling bore holes in complex fluids such as clays and muds. Accretion on drilling surfaces has a huge impact on cost and productivity for the oil industry, but there is limited understanding of the fundamental physics.
We will experimentally investigate the dynamics of soft glassy materials, consisting of concentrated particle pastes / gels. In particular we will study how the rheological dynamics are affected by key processes such as visco-elasticity and poro-elasticity at different timescales. Using this we hope to build up an understanding of factors which result in cohesive rather than adhesive failure at interfaces. This study will then use this understanding to investigate the dynamic break-up of soft glassy materials and how this leads to interfacial deposition of material on moving surfaces. We will formulate scaling arguments relating the amount of deposition to the underlying rheology and dynamic wetting.
We will experimentally investigate the dynamics of soft glassy materials, consisting of concentrated particle pastes / gels. In particular we will study how the rheological dynamics are affected by key processes such as visco-elasticity and poro-elasticity at different timescales. Using this we hope to build up an understanding of factors which result in cohesive rather than adhesive failure at interfaces. This study will then use this understanding to investigate the dynamic break-up of soft glassy materials and how this leads to interfacial deposition of material on moving surfaces. We will formulate scaling arguments relating the amount of deposition to the underlying rheology and dynamic wetting.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Michael Smith (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Matthew Hayes (Student) |
| Description | Have found some interesting results that suggest that if a surface is smooth it will not shear clay as expected and it behaives solidlike during adhesion tests. This is useful for Schlumberger, the company that is part funding the program, as it can inform their drill surface design. We have also found indications that the strain behaviour of the clay systems we are working with can be tuned by varying the roughness of the surface and hope to be able to apply this to adhesion tests to make the process more controlled. The findings of this program will be useful economically to inform private companies surrounding the behaviour of yield stress fluids under shear and strain which is of keen interest to the oil and gas sector. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
| Sector | Chemicals,Energy |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Title | IP Protected Imaging Rig |
| Description | Collarborated with an undergraduate Engineering student, Yusuf Faiz, during our time at Schlumberger Cambridge Research Centre that utilises x-ray shadowgraphy |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | A method of visualising bulk shear properties |
| Description | Dr David Snoswell, Schlumberger Cambridge Research Centre |
| Organisation | Schlumberger Limited |
| Department | Schlumberger Cambridge Research |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | As I am on the ICASE program I have an industrial supervisor. My contributions to the collaboration are that every three months I update Schlumberger on the progress that I have made so far in the project |
| Collaborator Contribution | David Snoswell has been taking a support role by giving advise as and when required |
| Impact | ICASE industrial placement in Cambridge, unique IP protected imaging rig and method development of experiments |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Rheology Conference - Schlumberger Cambridge Research Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference held at Schlumberger Cambridge Research Centre, talks were given by both industrial and academic researchers. I presented a poster of my current work at the time |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Schlumberger Funded PhD Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Poster and elevator pitch presentation to other PhD students funded by Schlumberger in Cambridge. Was a chance to engage with others recieving support from the company as well as members of the research team at the centre |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |