This thesis will study fluid mechanics and multi-physics couplings related to the cleaning of unwanted viscous liquid substances on solid surfaces with complex geometries—such as in the case of a surface cavity. The aim of this thesis is to model the physico-chemical processes that govern the extraction and cleaning of an undesirable liquid trapped in a surface cavity (see figure below), under the effect of a shearing liquid flow which may contain a cleaning agent. We will seek to understand the interactions between fluid dynamics, mass transport, and chemical reactions to
optimize decontamination strategies. The approach will be multi-physics, combining aspects of fluid mechanics, interfacial phenomena, and chemical reactions.
We will use complementary experimental and numerical methods to develop and validate multiphysics models to understand the impact of hydrodynamic, geometric, and chemical parameters on the cleaning process.