Software
MUDMAP™
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MUDMAP includes detailed models that account for the three stages of movement:
- the free fall of the consolidated mass of mud and cuttings (i.e.,convective descent phase)
- the collapse of the consolidated mass as it hits the seafloor (i.e.,dynamic collapse phase)
- the subsequent diffusion and deposition of the mud and individual cuttings
MUDMAP is controlled through an interactive Graphic User Interface(GUI) that integrates the model with a geographic information system (GIS), environmental data management tools, automatic grid generation tools, and associated input/output interfaces.
MUDMAP’s near field model predicts the transport and dilution of drill fluid through convective jet and dynamic collapse phases. Model input includes a definition of drill fluid density and composition (settling velocity versus percent mass fraction); release location, rate, and duration; and the current and hydrographic fields. Model output(dilution, plume center location/width, trapping depths, contaminant concentration, thickness and deposition) can be displayed. These outputs are also used as inputs for the far field model. The far field transport and fate of the discharge is predicted by a particle-based model using a random walk procedure. The particle model allows the user to predict the transport and fate of dissolved and settling/buoyant particles from single or multiple sources.
Algorithms account for the major processes affecting the fate of discharges
- Initial dilution and dispersion of a material stream as it is discharged into receiving waters
- Growth and dilution of the discharge cloud as particles sink towards the seabed and entrain seawater
- Growth and dilution of the discharge cloud as material strikes the seabed
- The transport and dispersion of the discharge plume by local hydrodynamic conditions
The embedded GIS allows the user to input, store, manipulate, and analyze geographically referenced information. The simplifi ed GIS has been designed to be user friendly, interactive and fast. GIS data is not be required as input to MUDMAP, but is helpful in analyzing and interpreting model predictions.
The GIS allows an unlimited number of geographic databases to be created each with individual layers of data. Typical uses of the GIS include storing location names, biological resources (bird colonies, fi sh spawning areas), industrial facilities, environmental data.
Through the use of linking procedures additional information about geographically referenced data can be obtained. These link files might include charts, graphics, tables, tutorials, bibliographies, text, photographs, or animations. Examples of data which might be stored in the GIS for a typical problem include: Contaminant source strengths versus time for the discharge, details of outfall location and confi guration, water column and sediment (core/grab sample) contaminant distributions, distribution and abundance of biota including shellfi sh, fish, birds, and marine mammals.
Data may be shared with commerical GIS applications such as ArcView® and MapInfo, and tools such as ArcView’s 3d Analyst may be used to perform complete 3D analysis.
MUDMAP can be set up for operation anywhere in the world. A geographic location for MUDMAP may be of any size and resolution. Please contact us for details. RPS ASA can immediately prepare coastlines for anywhere in the world from the CIA, Digital Chart of the World (DCW), or World Vector Shoreline (WVS) databases. In addition, geo-referenced raster maps may also be used. Alternatively, base maps may be digitized from fine scale charts, or imported from existing GIS applications.
Locations of sensitive resources such as critical biological habitats, water intakes, industrial sites, archaeological sites, etc. may be supplied in a GIS database. This data may already be available in RPS ASA archives, or we can readily rather and provide this data on an individual basis. The user may view, edit and update this database using MUDMAP’s embedded GIS.
Models of water movement in oceans, estuaries, lakes, and rivers represent a fundamental component of many environmental assessment problems. Such models provide the basis for physical transport of drill muds in the water.
RPS ASA maintains several hydrodynamic models:
- Open channel network flow
- 2-D finite difference
- 3-D boundary fitted
- 3-D finite difference (horizontal)
- vertically layered
- continuous vertical representation
MUDMAP may also integrate current meter data, seasonal atlas based current fields, or import data from hydrodynamic models. We work with a number of institutes and universities throughout the world to be able to provide the best possible data for any area.
