Pragmatic CFD modelling approaches to complex multiphase processes

Abstract

Modelling of complex multiphase processes in the minerals and energy resources industries requires a balance between the pursuit for detail and recognition of computational resource limitations, if it is to lead to effective and productive outcomes. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling can be a powerful tool to assist in improving these processes or designing new processes and equipment, since flow-related operations such as mixing, reaction or separation very often limit effectiveness. However, highly detailed CFD models for such complex and large-scale processes generally require such enormous amounts of computer resources that their effectiveness for actual process improvement can be limited. High level expertise is required to ensure that proper account is taken for multi-phase interactions, multi-scale effects, and additional non-flow physics and chemistry critical to the process while allowing outcomes to be obtained on industrially useful timescales. This may be termed the pragmatic approach