Modeling reservoir destratification systems

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship at the University of Bath (UK) starting October 2016 for a project to model water supply reservoirs that use destratification systems to maintain water quality.

Clean water is an important resource and a crucial worldwide societal challenge. Drinking water reservoirs in the UK and around the world become depleted in oxygen in the summer, when layers of different temperature form due to increased solar heating. Besides being lethal for fish and other aquatic organisms, low oxygen leads to the growth of nuisance algae, leading to blooms, and the release of potentially harmful chemicals from the sediment. To deal with this problem, water utilities employ reservoir destratification systems that mix the water so that oxygen can mix downwards from the surface. There are several methods of destratification; bubble plumes are most commonly used by water utilities in the UK. Recently, utilities have been making new capital investments in surface mixers, which act in reverse by pushing water from the surface down to the bottom, creating circulation in the reservoir. Yet these destratification systems are imperfect, and utilities still suffer from water quality problems that must be dealt with through water treatment plant processes. Thus, the overarching goal of this project is to improve the management of water supply reservoirs that depend upon destratification for maintaining water quality.

The project will involve applying existing reservoir models to characterise mixing in two reservoirs managed by two water supply utilities in the southwest of England. Applicants should have a degree in an environment-related science with demonstrated quantitative skills or a background in engineering, maths, physics, or computer science with interest in applying their knowledge to the environment. Programming experience and strong English communication abilities are required. Applicants for a studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a 2:1 class degree or equivalent, although some exceptions may apply.

The Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering at Bath is ranked No. 2 in the UK. The university is located in southwest England in idyllic Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient Roman baths, Gothic abbey, and Georgian architecture.

The final deadline is 29 January 2016, but interested students should contact Dr. Danielle Wain at [Email Address Removed] by 15 January 2016 to discuss the application.