Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
Content archived on 2024-04-16

THE DEVELOPMENT OF VALIDATED PREDICTIVE MODELS FOR OPTIMAL DESIGN OF MULTIPHASE CHEMICAL PROCESSES

Objective

The project envisages the optimal design of multiphase processes. The objective is the development of computer simulation packages which allow detailed predictions on the preparation and behaviour of dispersions and chemical reactions in two phase systems. These processes play essential roles in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food, detergent, oil, chemical and polymer manufacturing industries.
A computational Fluid Dynamics code has been developed for gas-liquid and liquid-liquid dispersion processes as encountered in emulsification, chemical reactions, fermentations etc. A two-phase turbulence model has been implemented and extensively tested experimentally. In addition, verified physical models have been developed, which describe the evolution of droplet/bubble sizes as a consequence of break-up and coalescence processes. These models have been coupled to the two-phase turbulence model to obtain full coupling between the two phases. Finally two methods have been developed which allow a detailed calculation of a flow as generated by moving parts such as an impeller in a stirred tank. Implementation of all models into the commercial code STAR-CD allowed the successful evaluation of a number of industrial test cases in detail.
To arrive at predictive models three interrelated classes of studies will be performed.

Firstly, the detailed physics of the processes will be modelled at a microscopic level. For the emulsification process droplet/bubble break-up and droplet/bubble merging (coalescence) are the primary issues. Mass transfer of a component from a phase to the interface or from one phase to the other phase are fully taken into account. An extensive experimental programme is proposed to support the theoretical modelling.

Secondly, two phase turbulent flows in reactors will be modelled, taking into account reactor type, geometry, impeller type and rational speed. The studies comprise : the physics of two-phase turbulence, development of reliable and efficient mathematical algorithms and experimental verification of the turbulence modelling.

Thirdly, the two classes of models mentioned above will be combined to investigate the interaction of local hydrodynamics and microscopic processes. The procedures developed will be implemented in a flexible user-friendly computational package which can cope with a large variety of reactor geometries.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Data not available

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

Data not available

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

Data not available

Coordinator

Unilever Research Laboratories
EU contribution
No data
Address
Olivier Van Noortlaan 120 Po Box 114
3130 AC VLAARDINGEN
Netherlands

See on map

Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Participants (4)

My booklet 0 0