See How Multiphysics Simulation Is Used in Research and Development

Engineers, researchers, and scientists across industries use multiphysics simulation to research and develop innovative product designs and processes. Find inspiration in technical papers and presentations they have presented at the COMSOL Conference. Browse the selection below or use the Quick Search tool to find a specific presentation or filter by application area.


View the COMSOL Conference 2023 Collection

Chemical Reaction Engineeringx

An Equivalent Kd-based Radionuclide Transport Model Implemented in COMSOL Multiphysics® Software

O. Silva [1], E. Abarca [1], J. Molinero [1], U. Kautsky [2]
[1] Amphos 21 Consulting, Barcelona, Spain
[2] Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Co., Stockholm, Sweden

Radionuclide sorption is often simulated using a lumped approach where retention processes are represented by the distribution coefficient (Kd), which relates the radionuclide mass retained in the solid phase to its aqueous concentration. Classical Kd-based simulations rely on two strong ... Read More

Ultrasound-assisted Microfluidic Devices: Insights and Optimization of Sono-microreactors

F. J. Navarro-Brull [1], P. Poveda [2], J. Ramis [2], R. Gómez [1],
[1] Departament de Química Física, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
[2] Departament de Física, Enginyeria de Sistemes i Teoria del Senyal, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

Possible drawbacks of microreactors are inefficient reactant mixing due to the predominance of laminar flow and clogging (when solid-forming reactions are performed or solid catalyst suspensions are used). Ultrasound has been successfully implemented not only to prevent these problems ... Read More

Comparison of Diffusion Flux Models for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

A. Nanduri [1], P. L. Mills [1],
[1] Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering, Texas A&M University - Kingsville, Kingsville, TX, USA

The Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) is a highly exothermic condensation polymerization reaction of syngas (CO+H2) in the presence of Fe/Co/Ru-based catalysts to produce a wide range of paraffins, olefins and oxygenates, the latter of which is often called syncrude. Multi-Tubular Fixed ... Read More

A Wall-Cooled Fixed-Bed Reactor Model for Gas-Phase Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

A. Nanduri [1], P. L. Mills [1],
[1] Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering, Texas A&M University - Kingsville, Kingsville, TX, USA

In the early 1920’s, Gas-To-Liquids (GTL) and Coal-To-Liquids (CTL) technologies were developed to account for the depleting crude oil resources [1]. During this period, Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch developed a process to convert synthesis gas (syn gas), derived from coal ... Read More

Development of a User Interface for Design of SO2 Oxidation Fixed-Bed Reactors

A. Nagaraj [1], P. L. Mills [1],
[1] Texas A&M University - Kingsville, Kingsville, TX, USA

H2SO4 is a very important chemical commodity, and indeed, a nation’s H2SO4 production has been a reasonably good indicator of its industrial strength for the last century or so1,2. Nearly 350 MM tons of H2SO4 was produced in 20143.The demand for H2SO4 in United States exceeds the supply ... Read More

Microscale Simulations of Catalyst Deactivation During Gas-Phase Upgrading of Biomass Pyrolysis Vapors

P. N. Ciesielski [1], D. Robichaud [2], B. Donohoe [1], M. Nimlos [2],
[1] Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA
[2] National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA

Catalytic fast pyrolysis is a process by which biomass may be converted into liquid hydrocarbon transportation fuels and chemical co-products that are alternative to their petroleum-derived counterparts. Chemical compounds in raw pyrolysis vapor have high oxygen content and therefore ... Read More

Modeling of Biocalcification in Non-Saturated Conditions

B. Courcelles [1], C. Raymond-Poirier [1],
[1] École Polytechnique de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada

In the context of increasing demographic pressures around the world, soil improvement techniques constitute viable alternatives to expensive foundations. Among these techniques, the biocalcification of granular soils appears as a promising alternative relying on the formation of calcium ... Read More

COMSOL Multiphysics® Simulation of Flow in a Radial Flow Fixed Bed Reactor (RFBR)

A. G. Dixon [1], D. S. Polcari [1], A. D. Stolo [1], M. Tomida [1],
[1] Department of Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA

For design of radial flow fixed bed reactors, it is important to ensure proper flow distribution through the catalyst bed. A 2D axisymmetric model of a radial-flow reactor was used to evaluate flow maldistribution through the catalyst bed and the pressure drop through the reactor for a ... Read More

Multi-Dimensional Adsorption Model of CO2/H2O Sorbent Bed

C. Gomez [1], R. F. Coker [1], J. Knox [1], G. Schunk [1]
[1] NASA MSFC, Huntsville, AL, USA

The primary interest of the VC (Vacuum Characterization) test is to experimentally characterize the adsorption and vacuum desorption of CO2 and water vapor of a pelletized sorbent bed in a large diameter column. The VC test article is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The aluminum canister is 3” ... Read More

Combining Multiphysics Modeling and Solution Thermodynamics Using M4Dlib, an External Library

T. Marin-Alvarado [1],
[1] M4Dynamics, Toronto, ON, Canada

An external library, M4Dlib [1], has been developed to solve multiphysics problems coupled to solution thermodynamics. This approach extends the local equilibrium concept[2] to multiphysics modeling by incorporating a full Gibbs energy minimization routine at each numerical node to ... Read More