My research field is fluid dynamics and electrochemistry, with application in stainless steel pickling. The project I am working on is initiatead by Avesta Sheffield and aims at modeling the process of stainless steel pickling. Professor Fritz Bark. is the supervisor of my project. I also have the privilege of having Professor Noam Lior as my advisor. He is associated with the University of Pennsylvania.


During the first part of my project I took courses in CFX at AEA Techonolgy in England, and in Multiphase Flow at ETH in Zurich and also at the Von Karman Institute in Brussels seen in the corner picture.









Modeling Electrolytic Pickling
Pickling is the most common of several processes used to remove unwanted oxide scale, which forms during the production process, from steel surfaces. Dissolution of the oxide scale by dipping in several successive baths containing strong acids (HNO_3 - HF) mixtures, is the traditional way of removing it since the late 1700s. This method, however, has many negative effects, such as creation of a corrosive environment, and NOx emissions and nitrate effluents which pollute the air and water.

Electrolytic pickling is a more advanced process where the electrolyte is sodium sulfate, which is harmless to the environment. The oxide scale removal in this process is caused by electrolytic action, achieved with the application of current. The primary objective of my research is to provide a better fundamental understanding of the electrolytic pickling process and to thereby optimize it. Modeling of the electrolytic pickling process, aims at including the electrical fields, fluid dynamics, bubble evolution and motion, and the electrochamical oxide scale removal reactions, and the numerical solution of the model. In addition pickling experiments, are being conducted to visually document the process and validate the modeling.

Below you can see my electrolytic pickling experiment in full action.