Dr. Afshin Goharzadeh is an expert in experimental fluid mechanics. He graduated from the University of Le Havre in France (2001). His Ph.D. subject was focused on the experimental characterization of Laminar-Turbulent transition in rotating fluids. After his Ph.D., he joined the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen (Germany) as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow.
His research interests are focused on experimental characterization of complex fluid flow such as multiphase flows, fluid-porous interactions and recently in asphaltene deposition in microfluidic models. He is actively involved in the development of modern Fluid Mechanics Laboratories within the Mechanical Engineering Department at KU laboratories based on both (i) micro-fabrication of transparent micro-models and (ii) state-of-the-art flow visualization techniques such as Particle Image Velocimetry (Standard and Micro-PIV), Laser Doppler Velocimmetry (LDV), High Speed Photography, and Infrared Thermography.
Design of an Innovative Magnetic-Nanofluid Heat Pipe for Space Applications
CubeSat power density is continuously growing, resulting in thermal hotspots that can be detrimental to the space mission. The magnetic-nanofluid heat pipe could be a passive solution to improve the heat transfer of electronic components working in harsh space environment. The objective of this study is to design an innovative heat exchanger to enhance the heat transfer in small satellites. The effect of a magnetic field on the heat transfer characteristics of magnetic-nanofluid flow, travelling in a heated copper pipe, is investigated both experimentally and numerically.
Nanofluids effect on enhanced oil recovery process
Nanofluids such as silicon dioxide (SiO2) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) are the most common fluids used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes. Recent studies however provide contradictory results about the effectiveness of such fluids on EOR. The concentration of nanofluids, wettability of the porous matrix, salinity of the fluid base, viscosity of the liquid and temperature of the system are among the key parameters that affect the efficiency of nanofluids. Preliminary work that I have performed indicate that an optimum pore wettability for a selected nanofluid is required to improve EOR processes.
Asphaltene solubility on deposition in model porous media
Asphaltenes are known to cause severe flow assurance problems in the near-wellbore region of oil reservoirs. Understanding the mechanism of asphaltene deposition in porous media is of great significance for the development of accurate numerical simulators and effective chemical remediation treatments.
Generally, asphaltenes are defined as the species in crude oils that are soluble in aromatics (i.e., toluene) and insoluble in n-alkanes (i.e., n-heptane). The specific molecular structure of asphaltene molecules typically cannot be uniquely defined due to their general classification based on solubility. Recently, microfluidic devices have been utilized to provide insight into oil flow processes. In this project, the effect of asphaltene solubility on deposition was examined using porous media microfluidic devices.
