BICTAM Symposium on Multi-Phase Flows in ABL: Wind Erosion, Dust Storms and Snow Drift

1.       Theme of the Conference

The natural disasters related to the transportation of multiphase flow have severe effects on human being’s life. Wind erosion，a process of wind-forced movement of soil particles，occurs in many arid, semiarid and agricultural areas of the world. Wind erosion leads to desert expansion and land degradation. It is estimated that 1,500 square miles of land is buried each year in China by the encroaching desert. As a strong wind erosion event, dust storm further deteriorates air quality so that north central China, including Beijing, is under threat. Heavy snow and sleet have affected at least 19 provinces in China in February 2008. It is estimated that the economic losses are summed up to $155 billion. The same hazards also result in tremendous amounts of property loss and casualties in Asia and all over the world.

These extreme environment events are all related to the transportation of multi phase Flow. To frame effective strategies for disaster mitigation, an in-depth understanding of these hazards requires sound mathematical analysis in parallel with model building, data collection, in-door experiments and field observation. It is a prerequisite for researchers to have an overview of the present state of art in these frontier areas.

The goal of this symposium on the one hand is to attract researchers’ interest in the mechanics community in these issues and bring together scientists from different disciplines such as geographers and meteorologists on the other hand to share knowledge of science related to these environmental problems. Such kind of interactive discussion will certainly facilitate the identification of main points, which need urgent investigation by new theory and new method We are making efforts to establish a close international collaboration on the problems described above and initiate a network for young scientists in countries of Asia and the Pacific Region, especially in developing countries.

2.       Topics

Sand saltation modeling in atmospheric surface layer

Dust emission and transportation

Convective ABL and vertical flux

Interaction of turbulence and sand motion

Turbulent modeling, LES and DNS of ABL and particulate flows

Experiments and field observations

Wind erosion, Dust storm and snow drift disasters

Evolution of Aeolian landform

Environment effects of Aerosol

Atmospheric environment and health

3.       Dates

The symposium is possibly to take place on October 16-18.

4.       Number of Participants

About 20 lecturers will be appointed representing both fluid mechanical, atmospheric and geophysical points of view. They will give 30-minute oral presentations from their complementary standpoints, in such a way as to stimulate debate and arouse the active involvement of young teachers and students. A few scientists from Asian and the Pacific will be invited to give lectures.

About 20 young teachers and students at postgraduate or research level will be selected to audit all of the 20 oral presentations and participate in academic discussions.

5.       Organizer

Family Name, First Name: Zheng, Xiaojing

Title, Position: Professor, President of Lan Zhou University

Affiliation and Address: Key laboratory of Mechanics on Disaster and Environment in Western China, Lanzhou University