A brief overview of my current research activity

1. Crapper
Simulation of Bioremediation
What? Using CFD to simulate flow of gas, moisture and bioreactions in soil piles
Why? Bioremediation uses lots of energy in turning piles or powered
ventilation. This needs to be optimized and the GHG emissions of the
whole process, including the microbial oxidization of contaminant need
to be understood.
Funding? Formerly ~£50k NERC Dorothy Hodgkin PGA, now seeking new funding
Future? Experimental validation of models; incorporation of evaporation; full
carbon audit of process
Collaborators:
Dr T Wu PhD
Graeme Paton (U
Aberdeen)
Modelled Temperature Contours Small-Scale Lab Experiment

2. Crapper
PARticle Systems: Training on DEM
Simulation for Industrial and Scientific
Applications
What? Detailed validation of Discrete Element Method (DEM) for simulating a
wide range of particle and fluid-particle systems such as silo discharge
and pneumatic conveying
Why? Industry requires increased confidence in DEM and a clear understanding
of its limitations so as to make it useful for design
Funding? €3.3M 2009-2013 FP7 Marie Curie ITN with 15 Partners (3PhDs and 1
Postdoc at Edinburgh)
Future? Well established network across EU and the world.
Left: Silos at Collaborators:
Antwerp
Prof Jin Ooi
Many others
Right: BASF
across EU
Mixer
Simulation

3. Crapper
DEM-CFD Simulation of Geobag
Revetments
What? Geotextile bags – Geobags - filled with sand are a cheap method of river
bank protection widely used in Bangladesh and other parts of the
developing world. We have been conducting laboratory experiments and
DEM simulations to analyze such structures.
Why? The construction and failure modes of Geobag structures are not well
understood and best practice guidelines need to be developed.
Funding? JRI joint project with Heriot Watt University. 1 PhD student.
Future? Joint funding proposals for further work are under development.
Left: Jamuna River, Collaborators:
Bangladesh
Aysha Akter
Gary Pender
Right: Experimental (HWU)
and DEM models of Grant Wright
revetment failure (HWU)

4. Crapper
Stakeholder Engagement for
International Development
What? Analysing the skill sets needed by development engineers for appropriate
engagement with rural African communities, and feeding this into
curriculum design both in Africa and in the Northern hemisphere.
Why? Water and sanitation projects in the developing world often fail in the
medium term, falling into disuse or disrepair. The hypothesis is that
better engineering design, taking into account stakeholder needs, would
address this problem. This requires better, context sensitive education of
engineers.
Funding? Small project funding ~£13k for field work
Future? Plans to extend work to other parts of the world; links to schools-based
projects explaining relevant basic science
Collaborators:
Alison Furber
Paul Jowitt (HWU)
Claire Hagget (Geosciences)
Hamish Macleod (Education)
Peggy Oti-Boateng (KNUST)

5. DEM Modelling of Particle-Membrane
Crapper Interaction in Water Treatment
What? Using coupled DEM-CFD to examine concentration polarization, cake
formation and other fouling processes on membranes at the colloidal
particle scale (microns).
Why? Membrane processes are still poorly understood, and previous
simulations have not considered particle-scale interactions in detail. This
project aims to validate against literature and explore usefulness of
technique
Funding? School/DTA studentship joint IMP/IIE
Future? To be decided!
Left: Simulation of Collaborators:
particles adhering
to collector Florian Chaumeil
Bill Easson
Right: stackable Andrea Schäfer
comutational
domain