Master/Project thesis: CFD Modelling of Core Drilling for Seabed Sampling in Deep-Sea/CFD Modelling of Core Drilling for Seabed Sampling in Deep-Sea
Deep Sea Sampling research project aims to develop sustainable and minimally invasive technologies for the extraction of valuable minerals from the deep-sea floor without impacting the fragile marine ecosystem. The target of the project is to sample the seabed near the underwater volcanoes rich in seafloor massive sulphide (SMS) deposits found at depths of 2000–4000 m. This thesis focuses on the numerical investigation and optimisation of a deep-sea core drilling and sampling device developed for exploration of the SMS deposits. The system acts as a seabed-based coring and material recovery unit, designed to extract cylindrical core samples from the ocean floor while simultaneously transporting cuttings through a closed hydraulic loop with integrated separation system. This enables geological and mineralogical sampling of the seabed for research and resource evaluation with minimal environmental disturbance. The work aims to numerically analyse and optimise flow fields, pressure drops, and hydraulic performance within the drilling and sampling pipe system under realistic deep-sea conditions. The thesis will involve computational studies on single and multiphase flow dynamics, particle–fluid interaction under realistic deep-sea conditions and subsequent validations using data from our in-house experimental setup.
Tasks:
- Geometrical parameterization of the CAD and CFD adaptation.
- Investigation of flow field, pressure drops etc.
- Iterative design optimisation of the coring system.
- CFD-DEM coupled multiphase modelling for cutting transport.
- Post-processing results and technical reporting.
Requirements:
- Strong background in Fluid Mechanics, CFD and Multiphase Flow.
- Experience with CFD software (preferably Star-CCM+).
- Basic knowledge of DEM modelling and CAD tools.
- Programming and scripting skills in C++ or Python, Java (macros).
- Good communication skills in English (German advantageous).
- Self-motivated and capable of independent research work.
What We Offer:
- Interdisciplinary research environment bridging industry and academia.
- Hands-on experience and training on industrial CFD software (Star-CCM+).
- Opportunity to contribute to research initiative on sustainable deep-sea mining.
Beginn: ab sofort
Supervisors:
Prof. Dr. habil. Andreas Wierschem
Room: Room 0.222
- Phone number: +49 9131 85-29566
- Email: andreas.wierschem@fau.de