Dario Schwendener Research Projects

Research Interest

My research focuses on advancing our understanding of fluid dynamics in porous media and fractures. In my PhD project, I aim to define and quantify non-Darcy flow, where conventional assumptions break down, requiring a more nuanced approach. To validate theoretical models, I develop computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes, employing methods such as conjugate heat transfer via the Lattice Boltzmann Method. Additionally, I conduct laboratory experiments to explore scenarios that challenge the limits of numerical simulations. A better understanding of inertial-driven regimes and critical scales is crucial for many engineering applications involving mass and heat exchange in porous media, where maximizing surface area and transport rates is essential, such as in geothermal power plants.

Previously, I investigated multiphase flow dynamics in fractures using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) experiments, focusing on drainage and imbibition processes under varying mobility ratios and capillary numbers.