PhD Defence Mirvahid Mohammadpour Chehrghani | Surface engineering for reducing friction in water distribution

Surface engineering for reducing friction in water distribution

Mirvahid Mohammadpour Chehrghani is a PhD student in the Department of Surface Technology and Tribology. (Co)Promotors are prof.dr.ir. M.B. de Rooij, dr. D.T.A. Matthews and dr. J. Monfared from the Faculty of Engineering Technology.

Reducing frictional energy losses in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) remains a critical challenge, particularly as global efforts intensify to improve water and energy efficiency. In drinking water transport and distribution networks, the vast majority of energy consumption arises from skin-friction losses along long pipe sections, making frictional drag the dominant contributor to total energy demand. Addressing this loss at its physical source therefore offers a direct pathway toward more sustainable infrastructure. This thesis advances both fundamental understanding and practical strategies for reducing frictional losses through shark-inspired riblet technology. The findings highlight the importance of understanding drag mechanisms in pipe flows and demonstrate how riblets modulate them through geometric scaling, multiscale structuring, and tip-shape optimization. These concepts were further validated at pilot scale, confirming their feasibility for industrial use.