RSA CE&C 2015-2021 Group descriptions

Chemical and Process Technology (CPT) 29 The idea is essentially that detailed models are used to generate closures for the interphase mass, momentum and heat transfer coefficients to feed coarse-grained models which can be used to compute multiphase reactor behavior on a much larger (industrial) scale. Another key aspect of our research deals with the development and application of advanced experimental techniques for thenon-invasivemonitoringof multiphaseflows.These techniques areextensively used to achieve detailed experimental validation of the multiphase computational models. Research themes The central challenge is the accurate prediction of the performance of multiphase chemical reactors using experimentally validated advanced computational models. In our research program, three main themes can be identified which will subsequently be discussed in more detail: 1. Dispersed multiphase flows Dispersed multiphase flows are frequently encountered in industrial processes involving catalytic conversions for the production of chemical building blocks and functional particles. In our research, we study gas-solid, gas-liquid and gas-liquid-solid multiphase flows using advanced MCFD models developed in-house. The complexity and scientific challenges are enormous due to the complex interactions between the dispersed elements (bubbles, droplets or particles) and the continuous phase, as well as the mutual interaction between the dispersed elements. Flows with deformable dispersed elements such as bubbles and droplets are especially challenging because the formation, coalescence and break-up of these elements and the mass and heat transfer in the presence of chemical transformations prevail. These complex processes significantly influence the specific interfacial area, mixing of chemical species, the largescale circulation patterns and ultimately the performance (conversion/selectivity) of multiphase chemical reactors. 2. Multiphase flows in porous media Multiphase flows in porous media are also studied in-depth and define another important class of flows frequently encountered in the process industries. Example processes include the production of synthetic fuels via the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process in multi-tubular trickle- bed reactors (TBRs), the production of raw iron in blast furnaces and water and polymer flooding in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes. A key aspect in detailed modeling of this type of flow is the proper representation of wetting phenomena and contact line evolution. 3. Non-invasive monitoring of multiphase flows Experimental validation of the multiphase computational fluid dynamics (MCFD) models is considered vitally important to building confidence in the predictive capabilities of the developed computational models and constitutes a key activity. In our group, a wide range of experimental techniques are available for detailed experimental validation of the computational models. Major accomplishments in the evaluation period Research quality and scientific relevance Our most important results for the aforementioned research themes obtained in the period 2015-2021 are summarized below. 1. Dispersed multiphase flows Recently, we have significantly advanced the multi-scale modeling of dispersed multiphase flows through the development of advanced Euler-Lagrange methods (DNS and CFD-DEM).