Smoothed particle hydrodynamics – A new approach for modeling flow in oscillatory baffled reactors

Using the Goldilocks Principle to model coral ecosystem engineering

The occurrence and proliferation of reef-forming corals is of vast importance in terms of the biodiversity they support and the ecosystem services they provide. The complex three-dimensional structures engineered by corals are comprised of both live and dead coral, and the function, growth and stability of these systems will depend on the ratio of both. To model how the ratio of live : dead coral may change, the ‘Goldilocks Principle’ can be used, where organisms will only flourish if conditions are ‘just right’. With data from particle imaging velocimetry and numerical smooth particle hydrodynamic modelling with two simple rules, we demonstrate how this principle can be applied to a model reef system, and how corals are effectively optimizing their own local flow requirements through habitat engineering. Building on advances here, these approaches can be used in conjunction with numerical modelling to investigate the growth and mortality of biodiversity supporting framework in present-day and future coral reef structures.

Oscillatory flow reactors for synthetic chemistry applications

Oscillatory flow reactors (OFRs) superimpose an oscillatory flow to the net movement through a flow reactor. OFRs have been engineered to enable improved mixing, excellent heat- and mass transfer and good plug flow character under a broad range of operating conditions. Such features render these reactors appealing, since they are suitable for reactions that require long residence times, improved mass transfer (such as in biphasic liquid-liquid systems) or to homogeneously suspend solid particles. Various OFR configurations, offering specific features, have been developed over the past two decades, with significant progress still being made. This review outlines the principles and recent advances in OFR technology and overviews the synthetic applications of OFRs for liquid-liquid and solid-liquid biphasic systems.