Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is the process of setting up equations, making assumptions, repeating iterations on a computer and interpreting the results to describe how fluid, suspended particles and thermal energy will move in a process, a piece of equipment, or other setting.
"Research into computational fluid dynamics has the potential to significantly increase the efficiency of recovery boilers used in the pulp and paper industry," said George Weyerhaeuser Jr. "The Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation is pleased to support the creation of this new chair at UBC to advance and accelerate that research."
The foundation's donation will be released to the university in $100,000 increments over five years and will be used to support computational research on phenomena related to the manufacture of pulp and paper.
The university has named Martha Salcudean, a professor of mechanical engineering, to the chair.
"Prof. Salcudean is an internationally recognized expert in computational fluid dynamics," said Applied Science Dean Axel Meisen. "There is nobody better qualified in Canada, and probably North America, to undertake computational fluid dynamics work related to the pulp and paper industry."
Meisen said Salcudean, along with mechanical engineering Prof. Ian Gartshore and Zia Abdullah, who leads the transfer of technology to industry, as well as other collaborators, have made key advances in research using computational fluid mechanics.
"The establishment of the chair is very important as far as the continuation of that research is concerned, especially because the funding can be used for exploratory work of a general kind rather than being tied to a specific schedule or mission."
Salcudean, who came to UBC in 1985, has served as head of the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; associate vice-president, Research; and acting vice-president, Research.
Her research related to the pulp and paper industry is focused on recovery boilers used in the pulp and paper process. The results of her research have already been put into use in several mills in Canada and the United States. She is carrying out her research in collaboration with the Pulp and Paper Centre, where she is a faculty associate.
"We calculate the process completely and then visualize it through computer graphics so that the operator can actually see everything happening. It creates a virtual reality based on a real representation of the process," Salcudean said.
"We feel that it is going to be very useful for the people who operate this equipment, for us to understand how this equipment works, and for training purposes.
"We are currently expanding our research to the modelling of other processes in the pulp and paper industry."
Weyerhaeuser Company is one of North America's largest producers of forest products. In recent years the Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation has also supported the creation of UBC's Chair in Forest Products Biotechnology and the Fellowship in Wood Building and Design.