Multiscale modeling of multiphase flows in chemical engineering processes

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Multiphase flows can be found in the chemical processes of a wide range of industries such as pharmaceutical, petroleum, automotive, food and household care. Such flows behave in a complex manner and, in comparison to single phase flows, remain poorly understood despite significant progress in both experimental and modeling techniques. For instance, the behavior of automobile particulate filters is both multiphase and transient in nature, as they involve the capture of small gas-borne soot particles inside the porous walls that make up the channels of these filters. Owing to the increasing strict limits on the emission of these particles as well as that of exhaust gas, a better understanding of the transport phenomena governing the capture mechanisms of such filters and the gas conversion in catalytic converters along the exhaust lines of vehicles is needed. Another example of complex systems found in the industry includes the design and scale-up of blending operations for the manufacturing of solid form drugs often achieved empirically due to the lack of knowledge of the governing mechanisms. We can also cite the production of shampoos, toothpastes and personal care commodities, which are structured fluids comprised of very small particles suspended in a carrier liquid. This is challenging because the properties of such end-use products must be carefully controlled. The objective of this on-going research program is to pursue our efforts in the modeling of multiphase systems, with an emphasis on solid-fluid processes, by developing accurate, robust and usable multiscale models for the simulation of the flow dynamics and transport phenomena in such systems. Our interest is to apply these models to dry granular and solid-liquid mixing processes, and to applications involving porous media such as those in filtration operations. This research program will provide a better understanding of a variety of particulate systems of industrial relevance, involving varying distributions of solid particles and liquids of different rheological behaviors. It will also enable the training of highly qualified chemical engineers for the design, control and scale-up of chemical processes comprising powders and particles of all kinds.