Sub-grid modeling of mass transport in gas-solid fluidized flows

• Grant number: 25/13672-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Transport Phenomena
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Eduardo Milioli
• Grantee: Fernando Eduardo Milioli
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Carlos
• Associated researchers: Christian Lea Coelho da Costa Milioli

Abstract

Fluidized bed reactors proliferate in chemical and energy industries, notably in large-scale applications such as catalytic cracking, combustion, gasification, and pollutant emission control. Their real-scale computational simulation is frequently based on multi-scale mathematical formulations, where information from inferior scales that are not captured by usual numerical grids must be supplied through additional sub-grid closure models. The proposition of such sub-grid models is the main objective of the present research proposal, more specifically those related to mass transport that limits heterogeneous interphase reactive processes. In previous projects, analyses were developed that culminated with the proposition of new hydrodynamic and heat transfer sub-grid models (FAPESP processes 2019/17707-6 and 2023/06125-1, respectively). The aim is now to develop sub-gid models for even more complex situations, involving, in addition, mass transport in reactive ambiences. It is anticipated that the already observed relation of the sub-grid heat transfer with hydrodynamic heterogeneity should also prevail for sub-grid mass transport in reactive ambience, with significant impacts expected over transport and reaction rate coefficients. The proposed research is ultimately intended to contribute for the development of realistic computational tools for project, optimization and scaling of industrial fluidized bed reactors. (AU)