A contaminant, which also contains a polymer is in the form of droplets on a solid surface. It is to be removed by the action of a decontaminant, which is applied in aqueous solution. The contaminant is only sparingly soluble in water, so the reaction mechanism is that it slowly dissolves in the aqueous solution and then is oxidized by the decontaminant. The polymer is insoluble in water, and so builds up near the interface, where its presence can impede the transport of contaminant. In these circumstances, Dstl wish to have mathematical models that give an understanding of the process, and can be used to choose the parameters to give adequate removal of the contaminant. Mathematical models of this have been developed and analysed, and show results in broad agreement with the effects seen in experiments.

Problem presented by
Harry McEvoy, Dstl

Study Group contributors
Abdulhadi Aminu (University of Birmingham)
Chris Breward (University of Oxford)
Piotr Broda (University of Warsaw)
John Byatt-Smith (University of Edinburgh)
Chris Catt (University of Southampton)
Nawinda Chutsagulprom (University of Oxford)
Joe Fehribach (WPI)
Heike Gramberg (University of Oxford)
Ian Hewitt (University of Oxford)
Roslyn Hickson (UNSW@ADFA)
Poul Hjorth (Technical University of Denmark)
Cara Morgan (University of Oxford)
Rafael Morones (Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México)
John Ockendon (University of Oxford)
Colin Please (University of Southampton)
Tim Reis (University of Oxford)
David Sibley (University of Bath)
Peter KinPo Tam (University of Birmingham)
Alice Thompson (University of Nottingham)