1,721,003 research outputs found

    A General Methodology for Hybrid Multizonal/CFD Models: Part II: Automatic Zoning

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    Multizonal models and, in particular hybrid multizonal/CFD models, represent a powerful approach to process simulation when complex physical and chemical phenomena (e.g. crystallisation, polymerisation, bioreactions) need describing by taking into account mixing and other fluid flow properties. A major issue in setting up such models is the definition of a suitable network of zones. This paper addresses this issue by delivering some criteria to establish a suitable network of zones. The suggested procedure will be compared by means of a mixing example

    A General Methodology for Hybrid Multizonal/CFD Models: Part I: Theoretical Framework

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    Multizonal models have been widely used for modelling the effects of mixing non-idealities in process equipment, presenting a realistic trade-off of computational efficiency and predictive accuracy between simple models based on idealised descriptions of mixing and full computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computations. However, a key weakness of multizonal models has been the difficulty of characterisation of the flow-rates between adjacent zones, and also of fluid mechanical quantities, such as the turbulent energy dissipation rate, that have important effects on the process behaviour within each zone. This paper presents a formal framework for addressing the above difficulties via a multiscale modelling approach based on hybrid multizonal/CFD models. The framework is applicable to systems where the fluid dynamics operate on a much faster time-scale than other phenomena, and can be described in terms of steady-state CFD computations involving a (pseudo) homogeneous fluid, the physical properties of which are relatively weak functions of intensive properties. Such processes include crystallisation and a wide variety of liquid-phase chemical and biological reactions

    A General Hybrid Multizonal/CFD Approach for Bioreactor Modeling

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    A critical issue in the modeling of aerobic bioreactors is the close interaction between fluid flow and the biological reactions. In particular, shear rate has a large effect on the broth viscosity which, in turn, affects the rate of mass transfer of oxygen from the gas to the liquid phase. We demonstrate how a generic hybrid multizonalrcomputational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling approach can be applied to take account of these interactions. The approach to multizonal modeling presented characterizes the flow rates between adjacent zones, and also the fluid mechanical quantities, such as the shear stress, that have important effects on the process behavior within each zone, by means of steady-state CFD calculations. An unstructured model for xanthan gum production in a batch aerobic bioreactor is used for this purpose. The hybrid modeling approach is also applied to structured models involving distributions of cell mass within each zone

    Model-Based Design of Parallel Experiments

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    Advanced model-based experiment design techniques are essential for the rapid development, refinement, and statistical assessment of deterministic process models. One objective of experiment design is to devise experiments yielding the most informative data for use in the estimation of the model parameters. Current techniques assume that multiple experiments are designed in a sequential manner. However, multiple equipment can sometimes be available, and simultaneous (parallel) experiments could be advantageous in terms of time and resources utilization. The concept of model-based design of parallel experiments is presented in this paper. Furthermore, a novel criterion for optimal experiment design is proposed: the criterion aims at maximizing complementary information by considering different eigenvalues in the information matrix. The benefits of adopting such an approach are discussed through an illustrative case

    Computational Issues in Hybrid Multizonal/CFD modelling

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    Hybrid multizonal/computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models provide a means of introducing a more realistic description of fluid mechanics and mixing phenomena within process models. The solution of the CFD submodel implicitly defines a function relating one or more of the variables in the multizonal model (the function outputs) in terms of another subset of the variables (the function inputs). This paper is concerned with the accurate and efficient evaluation of this function using local approximate models (LAMs) that may have a general mathematical structure, or be based on physical correlations. Practical issues relating to the robustness of the solution of hybrid models are also considered, and a general architecture for the software interface between the multizonal and CFD submodels is presented. The effectiveness and efficiency of the overall approach are tested by two applications relating, respectively, to a stirred-tank chemical reactor fitted with a cooling jacket and to a stirred-tank bioreactor

    A General Framework for the Integration of Computational Fluid Dynamics and Process Simulation

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    Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and process simulation are widely used in the process industry. The two technologies are largely complementary, each being able to capture and analyse some of the important process characteristics. Their combined application can, therefore, lead to significant industrial benefits. This is especially true for systems, such as chemical reactors, in which steady-state performance, dynamics and control strategy depend on mixing and fluid flow behaviour. This paper presents a new approach for the integration of the capabilities of CFD technology and process simulation via a general interface that allows the automatic exchange of critical variables between the two packages, leading to a simultaneous solution of the overall problem. The approach applies to both steady-state and dynamic problems. The feasibility of the approach and its first practical implementation are demonstrated by integrating a widely used CFD package (Fluent 4.5, by Fluent Inc.) within a general-purpose advanced process simulator (gPROMS 1.7, by Process Systems Enterprise Ltd. (1999)). One case study involving a batch reactor is used to illustrate the ability of the combined tool to provide information on the detailed interactions between fluid mechanics, heat transfer, reaction and control strategy, and to provide insights on important design and operational decisions. heat transfer, reaction and control strategy, and to provide insights on important design and operational decisions implementation are demonstrated by integrating a widely used CFD package (Fluent 4.5, by Fluent Inc.) within a general-purpose advanced process simulator (gPROMS 1.7, by Process Systems Enterprise Ltd. (1999)). One case study involving a batch reactor is used to illustrate the ability of the combined tool to provide information on the detailed interactions between fluid mechanics, heat transfer, reaction and control strategy, and to provide insights on important design and operational decisions

    A backoff strategy for model-based experiment design under parametric uncertainty.

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    Model-based experiment design techniques are an effective tool for the rapid development and assessment of dynamic deterministic models, yielding the most informative process data to be used for the estimation of the process model parameters. A particular advantage of the model-based approach is that it permits the definition of a set of constraints on the experiment design variables and on the predicted responses. However, uncertainty in the model parameters can lead the constrained design procedure to predict experiments that turn out to be, in practice, suboptimal, thus decreasing the effectiveness of the experiment design session. Additionally, in the presence of parametric mismatch, the feasibility constraints may well turn out to be violated when that optimally designed experiment is performed, leading in the best case to less informative data sets or, in the worst case, to an infeasible or unsafe experiment. In this article, a general methodology is proposed to formulate and solve the experiment design problem by explicitly taking into account the presence of parametric uncertainty, so as to ensure both feasibility and optimality of the planned experiment. A prediction of the system responses for the given parameter distribution is used to evaluate and update suitable backoffs from the nominal constraints, which are used in the design session to keep the system within a feasible region with specified probability. This approach is particularly useful when designing optimal experiments starting from limited preliminary knowledge of the parameter set, with great improvement in terms of design efficiency and flexibility of the overall iterative model development scheme. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is demonstrated and discussed by simulation through two illustrative case studies concerning the parameter identification of physiological models related to diabetes and cancer care

    Conceptual models for CO2 release and risk assessment: a review.

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    Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology for mitigating the contribution of fossil fuel emissions to global warming. The technology is based on capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from point sources and storing it in geological formations in such a way that is does not enter the atmosphere. CCS requires the transport of CO2 from source to sink. This can involve one or a combination of transport media: truck, train, ship or pipeline. Transport by pipeline is the preferred option for transporting large quantities of CO2 over long distances. The majority of CO2 pipelines are in the USA and Canada, along with substantial in-field pipework for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) projects (Kelliher et al, 2009, Kadnar, 2008). The USA experience cannot be easily applied to other regions or situations, because the CO2 pipelines are located in areas with low population density. In general, as stated in the report of the IPCC on CCS (IPCC, 2005), there is a lack of knowledge regarding the safety of pipeline transmission of CO2 in densely populated areas. The aim of this paper is to review the current state of the art in the analysis of risk for CO2 transport by pipeline. A brief review is presented of current models for CO2 release, the assessment of impact from such release, and overall risk analysis. For a simple case study, a comparative analysis is presented of alternative models for the calculation of consequences. This comparison indicates that different assumption models and software lead to important differences in the calculation of consequences. One of the problems is the difficulty in comparing and assessing results due to lack of experimental data. Key unresolved problems and some directions for research needed are identified
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