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

Transport Phenomenax

Novel Approach for Teaching Microchemical Systems Analysis to Chemical Engineering Students Using Interactive Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)

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

Chemicals are an integrated part of our daily life. While chemicals are significant contributor to a nation’s economy, sound management of chemical production is essential for environmentally friendly operation without maximizing operational costs. Next generation technologies must be ... 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

Solar Dryer Exergetic and Energetic Efficiency Analysis

L. Romero-Salazar [1], H. Lucatero-Villaseñor [1], E. Ruiz-Baltazar [1], M. Mayorga [2], J. C. Arteaga-Arcos [3],
[1] Laboratorio de Nanotermodinámica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, DF, Mexico
[2] Laboratorio de Microfluidez y Nanofluidos, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, DF, Mexico
[3] Laboratorio Micromecánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, DF, Mexico

A drying chamber for dehydration purposes is simulated; we model a chamber chimney system coupled to a solar collector as the heat source. Using both, the Heat Transfer Module and CFD Module of COMSOL Multiphysics® software in a 2D geometry we simulate the velocity and temperature field ... 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

Permeability in Fragmented Materials and its Application to Underground Mining

S. Palma [1], R. Castro [1], A. Hekmat [1],
[1] Mining Engineering Department, Block Caving Laboratory, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile

The block caving mine is considered by the mining industry as one of the natural replacements of the current open cut mines in the near future. The block caving technique is based on the extraction of small broken rocks, created by blasted initially large solid rocks, and the fracture of ... Read More

Modeling of Porous Catalyst Pellets: Comparison of Diffusion Flux Models for Steam Methane Reforming

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

Introduction Steam reforming of natural gas has been the most common method for producing synthesis gas (CO + H2) for the production of H2, MeOH and NH3 for over half a century [1]. Production of H2 in the USA using steam methane reforming (SMR) is ca. 9 MM tons/yr. Global production ... Read More

CFD Analysis of a Printed Circuit Heat Exchanger

K. Wegman [1], X. Sun [1],
[1] Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

In this experiment, the performance of a Printed Circuit Heat Exchanger (PCHE) was studied using COMSOL Multiphysics® software. PCHEs are diffusion bonded heat exchangers containing semicircular, chemically etched flow paths. Helium was used as the working fluid on both the hot and cold ... Read More

Simulation of Yield-Stress Fluid in a Rotational Rheometer: The Effect of Vane Geometry on the Accuracy of Measured Properties

J. Park [1], A. M. Oliva [1], N. R. Hargrave [1], D. Feys [2],
[1] Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla, MO, USA
[2] Department of Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla, MO, USA

A rotational rheometer for Self-Consolidating Concrete was simulated as a yield-stress fluid in a 2D geometry. The effect of the vane geometry was investigated by comparing the analytical solutions with the numerical output for flow in the coaxial cylinders. This effect was studied by ... 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

Benchmark Model: Natural Convection of Water-Aluminum Oxide Nanofluids in a Square Cavity

M. Z. Saghir [1], A. Ahadi [1], A. A. Mohamad [2],
[1] Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
[2] Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

Nanofluids is a new class of fluid consisting of particles in a liquid. Different base liquid has been proposed and the most common one is water. The concentration of these particles can range from 0.1% to 5% or greater. Different numerical models have been proposed to solve this ... Read More