The objective of this project is to develop a CFD model of milk suitable for use in simulating real 
ultrafiltration systems.

Previous studies have demonstrated that for stable monodisperse colloidal particle systems, membrane 
performance can be predicted by solving for the transport of particles within membrane channels, using 
constitutive relationships for the fluid viscosity and diffusivity within the polarisation region, and osmotic 
pressure within the gel layer attached to the membrane.

Milk is more complex than these monodisperse systems, both in the fluid phase, and when fouling the 
membrane.  Within this project we will use multi-scale and multi-physics modelling, combined with a 
concurrent experimental and rheological program, to build the constitutive models required to simulate 
real ultrafiltration systems.

This is a challenging (but hopefully rewarding) project that is multidiscplinary, involving fluid dynamics, 
physical chemistry, mathematics and computer programming. Applicants should have a good honours 
degree in Engineering or Science (Chemistry, Physics or Applied mathematics), or equivalent.  The project 
is linked and co-sponsored by industrial partners (publishing is encouraged).