Meet Our Team

Rumbidzai Nhunduru     PhD Student

School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, Institute of Mechanical, Process & Energy Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, UK

    Office: DB 2.65

    Phone: TBC

    Email: ran4@hw.ac.uk

Biography:

Rumbidzai is currently undertaking research focused on understanding reactive flow at different scales for carbon dioxide (CO₂) storage in geological formations as part of the project ‘Microscale Processes Governing Global Sustainability’ (Acronym: MILEPOST, Action number: 695070) funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the Horizon 2020 Programme. Geological storage is an effective strategy in mitigating global warming as it offers long-term storage of CO₂, however, the success of this technology and its global implementation relies heavily on understanding how CO₂ interacts with minerals and fluids within the geological formation over time (Complex multiphase reactive flow).  Very little is known about the changes that occur at pore level and their effect on the storage security of CO₂.  Her research is aimed at understanding reactive flow starting at pore-scale.  The project will use microfluidic models to simulate flow in porous media.  The research methods will also include numerical modelling and laboratory experiments for example permeability and porosity experiments. 

Research Interests:

Her main research areas are Carbon Capture and Storage, Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery, Multiphase Flow, Microfluidics.  

Awards:

1. Awarded the Food Incorporated Pvt Ltd Prize for ‘Best Graduating Student in Chemical Technology’ (Harare Institute of Technology 2014).
2. Awarded a Swansea International Excellence Scholarship (2015).
3. Awarded the accolade ‘Best MSc Chemical Engineering Student’ (Swansea University, 2016).