1. Optimisation of a KISR-Developed Integrated
Sand Control System Using Wind Tunnel
Simulations
A. Ramadan and A. Al-Dousari
Environment and Life Sciences Center
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
UNCCD 2nd Scientific Conference
9-12 April 2013
Bonn

2. BACKGROUND
KUWAIT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
EXPERIENCE
KISR SCS
Wind
Tunnel
Experiment
EXPECTED
METHODOLOGY
OUTCOMES
PROGRESS
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3. Background
Water Erosion ««««« »»»»» Wind Erosion
The problem of aeolian sand transport can
be mitigated by:
• Controlling the source of sand supply
(difficult still more effective & long-term).
• Protecting the installation of interest (can
be achieved quickly).
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4. Background
Controlling the source of sand supply can be
either:-
• Passive: regulating grazing, minimising off-
route traffic and controlling other human
activities, or
• Active: soil stabilisation. Identify the source
of supply, then reduce the wind speed and
stabilise the surface.
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5. Background
Active Sand Stabilisation Techniques
Four main categories:-
• Mechanical
• Combined
• Biological
techniques
• Chemical
• The best and long-term solution to the
problem of sand encroachment is to establish
suitable, self-sustaining vegetation on ground.
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6. Kuwait Experience
Prevailing
wind direction
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7. Kuwait Experience
Dunes types and
distribution within
Kuwait
(Al-Dousari et al., 2008)
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8. Kuwait Experience
Zones of sand
encroachment in
Kuwait
(Al-Sudairawi & Misak 1999)
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9. Kuwait Experience
• Control methods have largely been utilised
on the basis of trial-and-error.
• Kuwait National Report on the
Implementation of UNCCD (2000): "to-
date; no specific technique/material has been
identified as the most suitable for sand
stabilisation in Kuwait".
• Ad hoc, short-term rather than strategic
solutions.
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10. Kuwait Experience
Kuwait experience in active measures:-
Mechanical, chemical and biological
techniques have all been tried, however, in
isolation leading to limited success with
financial penalties sometimes.
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11. Kuwait Experience
Use of mechanical techniques:-
A 50% porous fence completely buried with sand.
KISR protected area in Sulaibiyah – January 2004.
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12. Kuwait Experience
Sand removal cost:-
Ali As-Salem airbase:
2,483,100m3 sand removal cost
$1.5 million in 1997)
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13. Kuwait Experience
Sand removal cost:-
MEW (Electricity): $120,000/Yr
from 204 locations
MEW (Underground Water):
$700,000/Yr
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14. Kuwait Experience
Sand removal cost:-
KOC: 1,417,725m3 sand
removed from oil installations at
cost $3.5 million from August
1993 until June 1996
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15. Kuwait Experience
Sand removal cost:-
MPW: 1,559,710m3 of sand
removed from Kuwait main
roads at cost of $1.6 million
from 18th April 1993 till 12th
February 1995
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16. Kuwait Experience
• A study (1992-1999) was conducted by
researchers at KISR on sand encroachment
control techniques.
• Utilised detailed field studies, remote sensing
mapping, mathematical modelling and
environmental and economic assessment to
identify several zones characterised by
significant sand movement.
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17. Kuwait Experience
• The study also considered the different
aspects of the problem of sand
encroachment and its control including:-
• the natural variables affecting the size of the
problem including sand trasnport rates, wind
speed and direction, grain size, type of surface
sediments and density of vegetation cover, and,
• the physical parameters affecting sand
movement including topography, sedimentology
and meteorology in the site of concern.
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18. Kuwait Experience
• The study recommended an integral sand
control system (SCS) which combined the three
methods of sand stabilisation.
• The integral SCS varies according to the
location but mainly included:-
1) 2m height double impounding fences,
2) green belts of drought-resistant trees downwind
the first impounding fence, and,
3) Gravel- and chemically- stabilised strips
downwind the impounding fences.
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19. Kuwait Experience
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20. Kuwait Experience
• This SCS has not been tested as a whole
system.
• Also, the SCS has unidirectional effectiveness
limitation, i.e. sand control in direction
perpendicular to the wind direction only.
• These two facts might be the reason
why, despite funding the project, KOC has not
yet implemented this technique.
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21. Objectives
• Assess the effect of different parameters on
the flow and rate of sand transport,
• Develop comprehensive relationships between
the governing parameters and the rate of sand
transport, and,
• Recommend fine-tuning of the original design
of the SCS, based on results obtained, to
achieve optimum sand encroachment control.
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22. Methodology
• Assess both quantitatively and qualitatively the
effectiveness of the recommended SCS by
conducting experiments on a 1/100 scale
model in KISR’s wind tunnel.
• Equipment: geometrically- and dynamically-
similar physical model, sand feeder, smoke
generator, high-speed camera, pulse
generator, light source, and, pressure scanner.
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23. Methodology
BMT Fluid Mechanics Limited
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24. Methodology
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25. Methodology
• Initially, we will assess the original design of
the SCS.
• Then, we will conduct a detailed parametric
study to fine-tune the final design in order to
optimise sand control.
• The optimum SCS is the one that is most
efficient in reducing the throughput sand
transport and at the same time commercially
attractive in terms of initial set-up cost and
following maintenance required.
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26. Methodology
1) Qualitative Preliminary Assessment of the Effect
of the Governing Parameters on Flow Patterns
• Assess the qualitative behaviour of the flow
patterns using flow visualisation techniques
before the conditions are determined for which
the detailed measurements will be taken.
• Sand feeder will not be used, but a smoke
generator with pulsed light source and high
speed camera will be used to depict the flow
streamlines in the form of smoke lines.
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27. Methodology
• Flow patterns will reveal information on the
location of the detachment/attachment lines
and the erosion/accretion zones.
• These experiments will assess, qualitatively, the
effect of the different parameters:
a) height of the fence,
b) cover density of the paved area,
c) longitudinal and transverse spacing between the trees,
d) configuration of the tree belts (in-line or staggered),
e) characteristic features of the trees used, and,
f) direction of wind.
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28. Methodology
2) Quantitative Assessment of the Effect of the
Governing Parameters on the Velocity Profile and
Surface Pressure
• Velocity profile and surface static pressure
measurements will be made for varying
parameters on the flow and the rate of sand
transport.
• The velocity profiles will be measured at
different points within and downstream the
model system.
• No sand feeder / smoke generator.
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29. Methodology
3) Measurement of the Rate of Sand Transport
under Different Conditions
• Sand transport rate through the SCS model will
be measured using a Saltiphone®.
• Sand feeder will be used.
• The experiments will assess the effect of the
governing parameters on sand transport rate.
• This will help in developing comprehensive
relationship(s) between the governing
parameters and the rate of sand transport.
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30. Methodology
4) Assessment of the Optimised SCS
• Based on the relationship(s) between the rate
of sand transport and the governing
parameters, the original design will be fine-
tuned to achieve the optimum sand control.
• The sand transport rates will be compared with
the no-protection case.
• Will also assess the efficiency period of the
optimum SCS under the prevailing sand
transport rates in Kuwait.
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31. Progress
• The experimental equipment (i.e., high speed
camera, light source, pulse generator, smoke
generator, sand feeder, and pressure scanner)
have been purchased.
• The small scale model of the SCS is being
manufactured by BMT Fluid Mechanics Lim.
• Defined the optimum configuration for light
sources, pulse gen., and camera to visualise
the streaklines representing the sand particles
movements as well as the flow patterns as
depicted by the smoke.
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32. Expected Outcomes
• The project objectives coincide with a strategic
goal of the States of Kuwait and other arid-land
states through desertification control, re-
afforestation and protection and enhancement
of the natural environment.
• Achieving the anticipated outcomes will serve
the society in Kuwait, other Islamic states and
arid regions in general.
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33. Expected Outcomes
• Results will be disseminated to concerned
agencies in Islamic countries as part of KISR's
obligations towards the funding agency
(i.e., Islamic Development Bank or IDB).
• Capacity building resulting from developing the
skills and expertise of Kuwait’s manpower
which underpins a strong & well-developed link
between KISR, IDB, and, the society.
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34. Expected Outcomes
• In specific the benefits of this project to Kuwait
and other Islamic countries are:
1) This project will hopefully demonstrate the
effectiveness of the KISR-designed combined SCS.
The original design or its modification could be
used as a guideline to reduce the effort and cost
currently involved in sand removals, and....
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35. Expected Outcomes
• In specific the benefits of this project to Kuwait
and other Islamic countries are:
2) The optimised SCS if implemented on a national
scale is expected to benefit the micro-climate in
cities in Kuwait and similar countries through
reduced dust and sand storms.
3) The above will surely have a positive impact on
the society of Kuwait and other similar countries
if well utilised.
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36. Expected Outcomes
• Implementation of the resulting optimised
sand control system will be sought through
contacts with relevant agencies in the countries
concerned.
• It is envisaged that KOC and other petroleum
companies in the Gulf region will be the most
beneficiary due to the number of their sites
that are in need of protection from sand
encroachment. KISR can help.
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37. Acknowledgement
The authors would like to acknowledge
with thanks the generous sponsorship of
the work presented in this communication
by the:
Islamic Development Bank
&
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
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