Development of Advanced Numerical Models for Two-Phase Heat and Mass Transfer Processes in Energy Systems

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A heat exchanger transfers energy between two fluid flows and is a key component in many important processes in the power generation, chemical processing, food processing, pulp and paper, and refrigeration industries. Heat exchangers could be made smaller, less costly, and more energy efficient if high quality software models were available for design. Presently, however, only simplified design models are available for processes involving two-phase flow and phase change because of the complexity of the heat and mass transfer phenomena. Thus, designers cannot predict accurately the connection between performance and the refinement of the geometry or operating conditions. A costly and time-consuming prototype testing process must be followed to obtain a better design. The opportunity exists to improve the energy efficiency and performance in those heat exchangers by creating more accurate theoretical models that will replace the current relatively simple methods.Over many years, my research program has focused on the development of advanced, detailed, mathematical models of the fluid flow, heat transfer, and mass transfer in two-phase flows. We recently created the first elliptic sharp-interface model for two-phase falling film flow in ducts. The research proposed for the next five years will focus on developing new innovative theoretical models for flows of a falling film of liquid and a gas-vapour mixture with condensation, evaporation, or absorption phenomena. These new models are part of a long term vision of accurate software tools that will enable optimization of complex heat exchangers. The tools will help designers find inefficiencies in designs and see how design refinements affect the performance. The high quality of the proposed research work will be ensured by a strict focus on the fundamentals of the complicated heat and mass transfer phenomena at the interface between the liquid and the gas-vapour mixture, on validation of the models, and on new numerical solution methods to efficiently implement the models. The training of 11 HQP (3 Ph.D., 3 M.Sc., 5 B.Sc.) is proposed. After completion, graduate students will have the ability to supervise continued model development by other researchers, to work at a start-up company to develop, apply, and sell new software tools, or to perform CFD modelling for design or consulting.The new, more accurate models and numerical solution methods will benefit Canadian industry by serving as the basis for future software tools that will give a competitive edge to companies that design complex heat exchangers. Reduced time to market and optimized designs will reduce development, manufacturing, and operating costs for those companies. Future new models will be applicable for the design of condensers, evaporators, absorbers, distillation/desalination systems, and heat pipes.