In dredging applications, deep sea mining and land reclamation projects typically large amounts of sediments are transported through pipes in the form of hyperconcentrated sediment-water mixtures or slurry. This research focusses on horizontal pipe transport. In the suspended regime the sediment volume concentration can be as high as 40% and has to be kept in suspension by the turbulent flow. Dependent on the flow and sediment characteristics, three different transport regimes can be distinguished. The sediment is either (a) fully suspended, (b) partially suspended in the presence of a sliding bed at pipe bottom or (c) partially suspended with a fixed bed at pipe bottom. It is extremely challenging to accurately predict (1) the (dynamic change in) transport regime, (2) the volume flux of solids and (3) the pipe friction factor over the wide range of operating conditions found in practice. The goal of this project is to meet these requirements through the development of accurate physics-based prediction tools for the wide range of operating conditions found in practice. To this purpose fully-resolved numerical simulations will be performed of turbulent sediment transport through a small-scale horizontal pipe. Next to available experimental data, additional experiments will be conducted in two slurry flow loops. The numerical and experimental data will serve as input for the development of reliable prediction (so-called mixture and multiphase Eulerian) models for slurry flow through a horizontal pipe. This project is supported by Royal Boskalis Westminster and Van Oord.

Energy transition, smart manning, and survivability are three of the main challenges of the maritime sector. This project investigates DC power system technology that facilitates these challenges. The technology integrates energy from renewable sources and is fault tolerant, enabling to continue operation after failures from wear, calamities such as fires and floods, or missile impact. The aim is that the Dutch maritime industry develops the capability to use this technology to builds more reliable and more efficient ships with lower emissions.

The maritime sector needs batteries for the transition to zero-emission shipping. This project investigates batteries that are specifically suitable for the maritime sector. These batteries need to be safer and cheaper, and to have a longer life-time. They need to be based on non-critical materials that can be used in a circular way. Furthermore, they need to be used optimally in the energy system of the ship. The aim is that the Dutch maritime industry develops the capability to apply circular battery technology to build ships with lower emissions.

We propose to develop a virtual representation of the inland shipping system, that can be used for assessing the efficiency of zero emission strategies. This digital twin will represent the real system with all relevant components. We will focus on three main aspect: the individual vessels, the logistic chains and the infrastructure. Potential interventions will be considered ranging from the application of new technologies for individual vessels to policy measures for an entire shipping corridor. Future scenarios can be imposed on the digital twin and their efficiency can be evaluated for the right path towards zero emission shipping.