Novel areas and future trends of computational fluid dynamics software applications in chemical engineering

Abstract

The paper presents a brief overview of advanced novel applications and future trends of Computational Fluid Dynamics software in Chemical Engineering. Among the cases of major importance, single phase turbulent flow, as well as multiphase flow models are reviewed. Referring to single phase flows, the LES and RANS approaches are described and illustrated. The RANS approach is revealed as the most popular and inexpensive method for the analysis and solving of technical tasks. The paper reports on two recent modeling applications, namely, the CFD facilitated design of a new mixing impeller and the CFD characterization of impeller mixing efficiency. Multiphase models of increased sophistication describing solid, liquid and gas flows with simultaneous mass transfer between the phases are summarized with emphasis on their applications to describe evaporation, condensation, as well as chemical reactions in process equipment such as distillation columns and fluidized beds. The future trends and directions in Computer Aided methods for the analysis of Chemical Engineering processes incorporate developments, such as the integration of various pieces of software including flow sheet modeling CFD modeling and complex reaction and thermodynamic models.