Lab
Particle characterisation laboratory
This lab is equipped for grain size, morphology, density and componentry analysis. The available instruments and facilities include:
- Sieving for grain size analyses on particles with diameter larger than 32 microns including wet and dry sieving medium and electronic shaker;
- Laser and high magnification camera system (Bettersizer S3 Plus; https://www.bettersizeinstruments.com/products/bettersizer-s3-plus/) for size and morphology analysis of particles with a diameter smaller than 1 mm;
- Helium pycnometer for density analysis; and hydrostatic balances for volumetric and densimetric analyses.
Fluid characterisation instruments
These instruments allow to measure the density and viscosity of fluids.
- The density of liquids and gases can be determined at temperatures ranging from 15 to 60°C.
- The viscometer measures fluid viscosity at given shear rate.
Fluid dynamics laboratory
This lab is designed for the study of geophysical phenomena. Current investigations focus on particle sedimentation (e.g., gravitational instabilities, particle aggregation) and gravity currents. Facilities and measuring instruments include: two water tanks with dimensions of 353 x 50 x 12 cm3 and 50 x 30 x 30 cm3 for the study of gravity currents and particle sedimentation; continuous Nd:YAG lasers (Genesis CX-SLM by Coherent and RayPower 2000 by Dantec Dynamics); two sCMOS cameras (HiSense Zyla by Dantec Dynamics); High Speed cameras (Phantom Miro M110 and SpeedSense).
