Fluid dynamics in multiphase systems

The flow of fluids in multiphase systems has always been a major consideration of chemical engineers. Most of the operations in a chemical plant, for instance, involve transporting heat and material among liquids and solids by means of fluid motion. But today, chemical engineers are expanding their expertise beyond the plant doors. The author discusses research programs in this area which involves studies that fall outside of the traditional realm of chemical engineering: blood flow in capillaries, the transport of contaminants in groundwater, the dynamics of geothermal reservoirs, enhanced oil recovery, the processing of fibrous composites, melt-spinning processes, and the growth of silicon crystals.