Multiphase dispersed flows are common in a wide spectrum of engineering applications and environmental processes: examples include fluid transport in pipelines, filtration systems, pulp and paper making, drug delivery devices, pollutant dispersion. The Department of Fluid Mechanics (DFM) has been working on multiscale characterization of multiphase flows in close connection with industrial partners, public institutions and international research networks. Primary objectives of DFM is to combine state-of-the-art numerical and experimental research tools to improve physical understanding of heat, mass and momentum transfer phenomena and to use fundamental knowledge for developing phenomenological predictive models.
The most recent practical problems investigaed by the DFM are:
1. Pulp and paper production – DFM is leading a pan-European network which will help to promote and disseminate simulation techniques and computational models pertinent to the pulp and paper industry. The network is part of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program and will run until 2015.
2. Fluid transport in pipelines – Work is in progress to improve current understanding of drag reduction mechanisms via experimental measurements for different type/concentration of additives at large Reynolds numbers in a large-scale facility.
3. Design of particulate and pollutant emission control devices – DFM leads a project, recently funded by the Regional Authority Regione FVG, aimed at elucidating the physics/chemistry relevant for the design of innovative high-performance abatement systems (particulate and catalytic filters), as required by the challenging limitations imposed by new European standards for emission control (Euro 6). Partners of the projects are the University of Udine (CIFI and DCFA) and three private companies (Arco Solution srl, QID srl and Palazzetti spa) which will cooperate in the design, production and testing of new prototype wall filters.
4. Continuous casting processes – At DFM performance optimization of continuous casting processes is sought via numerical simulations to improve tundish design and performances in terms of both thermal/chemical homogenization and inclusion separation.