Mathematical Modelling of Single- and Two-Phase Flow Problems in the Process Industries

Many key issuesin design for the process industries are related to the behaviour of fluids in turbulent flow, often involving more than one phase, chemical reaction or heat transfer. Computational-Fluid-Dynamics (CFD) techniques have great potential for analysing these processes and can be of great help to the designer, by reducing the need to resort to cut and try : approaches to the design of complex equipment. The paper presents the fundamental principles of CFD within the context of the so-called finite-domain technique. The procedure can handle one-, two-, and three-dimensional distributions of the variables in space, steady or transient processes, multi-phase processes, and effects such as turbulence, compressibility of phases, buoyancy, phase-change, chemical reactions, gravity stratification, etc. Demonstrations are made of the application of the procedure to the numerical computation of some process industry situations, such as those occurring in adsorbers/regenerators, combustors, cement kilns, and heat - exchangers. It is concluded that :- The finite - domain versions of the differential equations are soluble, with modest computer costs;- The solutions are always physically plausible; and,- There is a need for extensive evaluation and validation of CFD physical and chemical sub-models, particularly those concerning turbulence, chemical kinetics and interphase-transport processes.