Research and expertise
I am a Research Fellow within the Water Engineering Group, specialising in fluid dynamics of stratified and turbulent flows across engineering and geophysical environments. My research integrates high fidelity numerical simulation, theoretical analysis, and experimental approaches to investigate complex flow behaviour.
I am particularly interested in stably stratified and multiphase turbulent flows, boundary‑layer processes, and flow-structure interactions. This includes studies of bio‑inspired drag‑reducing surfaces and the hydrodynamics of offshore wind infrastructure.
My work is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing on principles from engineering, physics, and applied mathematics to advance fundamental understanding while addressing real‑world environmental and industrial challenges.
My primary expertise lies in computational fluid dynamics (CFD). I regularly use high‑performance simulation tools such as Nek5000 and OpenFOAM, employing methods ranging from Direct Numerical Simulation and Large-Eddy Simulation to turbulence‑model development for lower‑fidelity applications. In addition to numerical modelling, I utilise optical experimental techniques to obtain detailed measurements of turbulent flows.
Current research activity
- My current Leverhulme Trust Fellowship focuses on understanding how offshore wind infrastructure influences mixing processes in deep‑water, density‑stratified marine environments. Using high‑fidelity numerical simulations, I am examining how these large‑scale structures modify local hydrodynamics and enhance water‑column mixing
- I am also investigating fundamental mixing mechanisms in density‑stratified and sediment‑laden flows. Through numerical modelling and linear stability analysis, I have identified key interactions between large-scale coherent structures in stratified flows, and how these processes influence sediment transport, leading to non‑Fickian diffusive behaviour
- My PhD research investigated shark‑scale biomimetics, focusing on how scale geometry influences hydrodynamic performance, with applications spanning sport science, aeronautics, and renewable energy. This work involved developing turbulence models suited to resolving rough‑wall flows and measuring boundary‑layer interactions over highly detailed 3D‑printed shark‑skin surfaces using optical techniques
Recent publications
- Lloyd, C.J. and Dorrell, R.M., 2025. Transport by waves and turbulence: Dilute suspensions in stably stratified plane Poiseuille flow. Physical Review Fluids, 10(11), p.114501
- Lloyd, C.J. and Dorrell, R.M., 2024. Linear dynamics in turbulent stratified plane Poiseuille flow. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 999, p.A104
- Dorrell, R.M., Lloyd, C.J., Lincoln, B.J., Rippeth, T.P., Taylor, J.R., Caulfield, C.C.P., Sharples, J., Polton, J.A., Scannell, B.D., Greaves, D.M., Hall, R.A. & Simpson, J.H. (2022). Anthropogenic mixing in seasonally stratified shelf seas by offshore wind farm infrastructure. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9, 830927
- Lloyd, C.J., Dorrell, R.M. and Caulfield, C.P., 2022. The coupled dynamics of internal waves and hairpin vortices in stratified plane Poiseuille flow. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 934, p.A10.
- Lloyd, C.J., Peakall, J., Burns, A.D., Keevil, G.M., Dorrell, R.M., Wignall, P.B. and Fletcher, T.M., 2021. Hydrodynamic efficiency in sharks: the combined role of riblets and denticles. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, 16(4), p.046008
Profile
I was introduced to fluid dynamics during my undergraduate Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Liverpool, where I developed a strong interest in both fundamental and computational fluid dynamics. In 2015, I began my PhD at the Centre for Doctoral Training in Fluid Dynamics at the University of Leeds, supervised by Professor Jeff Peakall. My doctoral research focused on shark skin biomimetics, through which I developed expertise in both experimental and numerical methods.
During my PhD, I investigated boundary‑layer dynamics and surface roughness, with particular emphasis on the drag‑reducing properties of shark scales. This work involved integrating advanced numerical modelling with optical‑based experimental techniques to examine flow behaviour over highly detailed surface geometries.
In 2020, I moved to the University of Hull for a post‑doctoral research position. This role centred on developing a fundamental understanding of mixing in stratified flows, especially the behaviour of large‑scale coherent structures and their interactions with sediment transport processes. Throughout this period, I became increasingly interested in the renewable‑energy sector, particularly the interaction between offshore energy infrastructure and the marine environment. This interest led to my being awarded a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship, through which I am investigating how offshore wind infrastructure influences mixing in density‑stratified waters, and how these processes depend on turbine and foundation design. Since 2025, I have continued this fellowship research at Loughborough University.
Key collaborators
My research and enterprise activities are conducted with a range of academic and stakeholder partners, including:
- Universities: Cambridge, Leeds, Newcastle, Northumbria, Durham, Hull, Utah State
- Industry and Research organisations: The National Oceanography Centre, The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Siemens Gamesa, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, The Crown Estate