Kumar Nandakumar

University of Alberta

CV Highlights

• Professor, Chemical and Materials Engineering

• Saritorius Chemcon-2003 Distinguished speaker award (Dec 2003 - Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers)

• APEGGA Excellence in Education Award (2002)

• Killam Annual Professorship at University of Alberta (2001)

• Research Interests: CFD modeling, multiphase transport processes

Fluid Mechanics

Computational models of fluid flow patterns and behaviours could lead to new innovations in Alberta's oil and gas industry. Kumar Nandakumar is collaborating with fellow University of Alberta Professor Peter Minev to develop next generation algorithms for the direct simulation of multiphase flows using fictitious domain methods. At the heart of their studies is an exploration of problems relating to multiphase flows in industrial situations. These include modeling the tray hydraulics, flow in packed towers, design of structure packings, and erosion/corrosion in pipelines.

This research requires the use of WestGrid resources for handling large data files, running data-intensive equations, and creating detailed numerical simulations. Visualizations of these research findings are also key to understanding the underlying physics of the multiphase flows.