Speaker
Dr
Thomas Kaempfer
(AF Colenco Ltd / CRREL)
Description
The micro-structure of a sintered and porous material impacts its chemical and physical properties. In particular, sintering ice-crystals evolving from snow to firn alter the characteristics of the snowpack. We study the link between micro-structure and properties by numerical modeling based on
experimental X-ray micro-tomography data or using discrete element model (DEM) snow as geometrical input. We use phase-field techniques to solve the two-phase (ice and air) heat and mass transfer problem in snow and to
predict heat conductivity, evaporation-condensation, and sintering rates. We analyze mechanical behavior within the DEM framework, flow using Lattice-Boltzmann simulations, and study optical properties by Monte Carlo ray tracing techniques. The coupling with chemical models presents particular challenges.
Please list some keywords
snow micro-structure, modeling, X-ray micro-tomography, phase-field, discrete elements
Primary author
Dr
Thomas Kaempfer
(AF Colenco Ltd / CRREL)
