Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tanu Mehta, Raj Mukherjee, Ami Shah, Trey Mastriani, Tibo Duran, Bodhisattwa Chaudhuri
Summary: The study demonstrates that careful selection of equipment materials can significantly reduce the electrostatic charging of pharmaceutical powders, and surface modified blenders play an important role. The Discrete Element Method (DEM) model can also be used to assess the applicability of modified V blenders.
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yuki Tsunazawa, Nobukazu Soma, Mikio Sakai
Summary: This study clarifies the mixing mechanism of a pot blender using the discrete element method. The results show that the main mixing mechanism is convective mixing in the rotational direction and shear mixing in the axial direction. The particle filling ratio significantly influences the mixing efficiency, and the dependency of shear and diffusive mixing on Lacey's mixing index is also clarified.
ADVANCED POWDER TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Cheng-Chuan Lin, Fu-Ling Yang
Summary: In this study, the impact of non-local momentum transport on a silo discharge process was investigated using numerical simulations. It was found that non-local effects enhance the velocity field and increase the discharge flow rate, particularly when the silo orifice is narrower. Additionally, non-local effects appear to lessen the orifice reduction effect coefficient and reduce the size of the high-shear zone.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Angga Pratama Herman, Zongyan Zhou, Jieqing Gan, Aibing Yu
Summary: This study investigates the mixing of granular materials in rotating drums with different volumes. The results show that mixing performance is affected by drum size and particle diameter. A correlation equation is proposed for predicting mixing rate, and the ratio of drum diameter to particle diameter influences particle travel distances and displacements. The findings are significant for understanding the mixing mechanism of granular materials.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Katherine Wilson, Lauren Briens
Summary: Powder mixing is a crucial and complex process in various industries. This study explores the potential of using passive acoustic emissions to monitor the mixing process. Vibration profiles correlated with specific phases of particle motion provide reliable information on particle movement.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jieqing Gan, Zongyan Zhou, Aibing Yu
Summary: This paper presents a numerical study of the mixing of ellipsoidal particles in a bladed mixer using the discrete element method. The results show that oblate ellipsoids have poorer mixing quality and lower mixing rates compared to spheres and prolate ellipsoids. Spheres generally mix faster than ellipsoids, and ellipsoids demonstrate higher average velocity and friction forces than spheres. The study also investigates the effect of sliding friction on mixing rate, particle velocities, and blade torque, indicating a significant relationship between particle shape, sliding friction, and energy consumption.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Fuhai Yu, Zhihao Yao, Guojie Chen, Yun Zhang, Yang Zheng
Summary: The study investigates how changing baffle design can improve the mixing efficiency of a multi-bladed tote blender. The novel inclined multi-bladed baffles break the symmetrical axial granular flow and introduce more efficient convective mixing, showing excellent applicability under different conditions and effectively preventing segregation of particles.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Angga Pratama Herman, Jieqing Gan, Zongyan Zhou, Aibing Yu
Summary: This work presents a numerical study on particle mixing and scale-up of ribbon mixers with different sizes. The study found that as the mixer size increases, the mixing performance worsens. A correlation is proposed to predict the mixing rate based on the scale-up ratio and Froude number. It was observed that the top-bottom loading condition leads to faster mixing compared to the side-side and front-back loading conditions. Additionally, the total mixing time increases significantly with larger mixer sizes. The power consumption per unit mass follows a specific order among the four mixers. The study suggests that scale-up is necessary to save time and power consumption, as well as reduce operating costs.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Shahab Golshan, Bruno Blais
Summary: The research focused on granular mixing in vertical ribbon mixers using discrete element method simulations. It was found that decreasing the mixer height strengthens the azimuthal motion of particles. Increasing rotation speed and inserting powder side-to-side improved mixing quality.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhou Hu, Xiaoyan Liu
Summary: The study proposes a new method, HI-MCM, to replace DEM simulation for predicting granular mixing process under new drum speeds in rotary drums. HI-MCM demonstrates good agreement with DEM simulation results in predicting particle spatial distribution and mixing degree, while significantly reducing computing time to less than 1% of DEM and current methods. Additionally, HI-MCM shows robustness to changes in Markov chain parameter, indicating potential for online prediction of granular mixing in rotary drums.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Behrooz Jadidi, Mohammadreza Ebrahimi, Farhad Ein-Mozaffari, Ali Lohi
Summary: Non-spherical particles have a lower mixing quality compared to spherical particles in a twin paddle blender. Cubical particles show the highest compactness in the solid mixture. Non-spherical particles exhibit a higher resistance to movement. The diffusion mechanism is superior in mixing, with shear and normal stresses peaking near the blade tips.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhen Wan, Youjun Lu
Summary: This paper investigates the local and global mixing and segregation characteristics of binary mixtures in a gas-solid fluidized bed using a computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method (CFD-DEM) coupled approach. A methodology based on solids mixing entropy is developed to quantify the mixing degree and time of the bed. The effects of gas velocity, particle density ratio, and size ratio on mixing/segregation behavior are discussed. The results show that increasing gas velocity promotes the mixing of binary mixtures, while increasing particle density ratio and size ratio lead to greater segregation and reduced mixing degree.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Behrooz Jadidi, Mohammadreza Ebrahimi, Farhad Ein-Mozaffari, Ali Lohi
Summary: Discrete element method (DEM) and statistical analysis were used to analyze the flow patterns and mixing mechanisms of a double paddle blender. The study found that impeller speed and initial loading pattern had significant effects on the mixing performance, and diffusion was identified as the dominant mixing mechanism in the blender.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Behrooz Jadidi, Mohammadreza Ebrahimi, Farhad Ein-Mozaffari, Ali Lohi
Summary: The study investigated the mixing mechanisms and flow patterns in a twin-paddle blender containing non-spherical particles using the discrete element method (DEM) and experiments. Calibration tests were conducted to validate the GPU-based DEM model using a rotary drum. The calibrated model was then utilized to explore the impact of factors such as vessel fill level, paddle rotational speed, and particle number ratio on mixing performance. The results indicated that an increase in fill level and a decrease in impeller speed resulted in a higher number of particle contacts and an increase in mixture compactness, driven by diffusion as the dominant mixing mechanism.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Behrooz Jadidi, Mohammadreza Ebrahimi, Farhad Ein-Mozaffari, Ali Lohi
Summary: The flow patterns and mixing mechanisms of a double paddle blender were analyzed using the discrete element method (DEM) and experiments. The mixing performance of this blender with bidisperse particles has been seldom studied. The DEM input parameters were calibrated using the Plackett-Burman design of experiments (DoE) methodology, and the impact of particle number ratio, vessel fill level, and paddle rotational speed on mixing performance was investigated. The mixing performance was assessed using relative standard deviation and segregation intensity. The paddle rotational speed and particle number ratio significantly influenced the mixing performance. The diffusivity coefficient and Peclet number were used to evaluate the mixing mechanism, revealing that diffusion was the predominant mechanism and the best mixing performance occurred when the diffusivity coefficients of 3 mm and 5 mm particles were nearly equal.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Sepehr Hamzehlouia, Mohammad Latifi, Jamal Chaouki
Summary: A novel silica-based microwave receptor with low carbon content, high layer uniformity, and extreme microwave heating rate was developed, demonstrating excellent potential as a heat generator and catalyst support/promoter in gas-solid fluidized bed reactors.
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Shahab Golshan, Gregory S. Patience, Reza Zarghami, Jamal Chaouki, Bruno Blais
Summary: Around 75% of raw materials in the chemical industry and 50% of consumer products are in the form of powders or granular solids. Researchers use various techniques, including fibre optic probes, to study the hydrodynamics of fluid-solid systems. Fibre optic probes are simple, inexpensive, and sensitive tools that can measure local properties such as particle velocity, solids fraction, and voids in heterogeneous systems. MATLAB codes and experimental data are provided as examples for processing raw signals and obtaining information on gas/solids/bubble holdup, particle and bubble velocity, bubble size, and solids flux.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Roshanak Rabiee, Mohammad Monzavi, Jaber Shabanian, Alireza Shams, Shahab Golshan, Rouzbeh Jafari, Bruno Blais, Jamal Chaouki
Summary: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is an effective tool for studying the flow characteristics of a rotating packed bed (RPB), particularly in large-scale and 3D simulations. The Euler-Euler model is a reliable choice for describing the two-phase flow behavior of RPBs, with its low computational cost and sensitivity to mesh resolution. This study develops a new Euler-Euler model in OpenFOAM to characterize the two-phase flow behavior of RPBs, which is verified and validated using experimental data. The new model demonstrates promising capabilities in accurately predicting hydrodynamic parameters of RPBs.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Shahab Golshan, Alireza Shams, Roshanak Rabiee, Rouzbeh Jafari, Jamal Chaouki, Bruno Blais
Summary: This study investigates the effect of bed size on the average droplet diameter in a rotating packed bed (RPB) and develops scale-up criteria to maintain the average droplet diameter at a large scale. Experimental data and simulation results are used to determine the correlation between rotating speed, centrifugal force, and surface tension with the average droplet diameter. This research contributes to the wider adoption of RPB technology.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joseph Santhi Pechsiri, Jean-Baptiste E. Thomas, Naoufel El Bahraoui, Francisco Gabriel Acien Fernandez, Jamal Chaouki, Saad Chidami, Rodrigo Rivera Tinoco, Jose Pena Martin, Cintia Gomez, Michel Combe, Fredrik Grondahl
Summary: This study compares the environmental performance of conventional reactors and a proposed internally illuminated novel closed reactor design. The results show that the novel photobioreactor can significantly reduce impacts such as eutrophication and climate change when leveraging renewable energy sources and the photosynthesis process in urban-industrial symbiosis scenarios.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Amin Solouki, Mohammad Monzavi, Jamal Chaouki
Summary: This study investigated the removal of nickel (Ni) and vanadium (V) from Iranian crude oil using bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) under microwave heating. The results showed that with low microwave powers and a reaction temperature of 250℃, the removal efficiencies of Ni and V could reach up to 63% and 72% respectively after 1 hour of reaction. The demetallization reactions followed a first-order model, with activation energies of 29.8 and 34.7 kJ/mol for Ni and V.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Kazem Adavi, Jaber Shabanian, Jamal Chaouki
Summary: Research studies have found that selective heating in gas-solid systems exposed to microwave irradiation can suppress undesired reactions and save energy. However, the effects of various factors on temperature difference and distribution in fixed beds under microwave heating are not well understood. This study used multiphysics simulations to investigate these effects and found that temperature gradient increases with gas velocity and exothermic reactions. Additionally, nonuniform temperature distribution was observed due to limited microwave penetration depth and hotspot formation.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Abdellah Ajji, Jamal Chaouki, Ogul Esen, Miroslav Grmela, Vaclav Klika, Michal Pavelka
Summary: The classical mass action law in chemical kinetics is integrated into the framework of geometric multiscale thermodynamics, enabling the description of chemical reactions with inertial effects. The kinetics is expanded to a larger state space with reaction rates as new state variables, exhibiting a Lie-algebroid dual structure. The dynamics is then enhanced to the Liouville description within the kinetic theory of the enlarged state space, allowing for the inclusion of fluctuations. The lifted kinematics possesses a geometric structure of a matched pair, enabling reduction to moments by a Lie-algebra homomorphism, akin to the Grad hierarchy.
PHYSICA D-NONLINEAR PHENOMENA
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Pierre Sauriol, Javad Vahabzadeh Pasikhani, Jaber Shabanian, Jamal Chaouki
Summary: The high velocity injection of gas in a particulate system leads to the formation of a gas-solid structure characterized by enhanced momentum, mass, and heat transfers. This review focuses on the empirical correlations developed to predict the jet penetration length and half-angle at various operating conditions in different bed configurations in gas-solid fluidized beds. It also discusses the advances in modeling efforts, scale-up issues, and proposes an iterative approach for designing and scaling up injection systems in a gas-solid fluidized bed.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ramy Sadek, Mohammad S. Sharawi, Charles Dubois, Hesham Tantawy, Jamal Chaouki
Summary: The developed nanocomposite shows significantly enhanced shielding performance due to the synergistic effect of high dielectric and magnetic loss materials, which modifies the material's impedance and improves its absorption ability.
Article
Thermodynamics
Mohammad Monzavi, Zhaohui Chen, Abdelrahman Hussain, Jamal Chaouki
Summary: This study proposed a method of upgrading heavy oils and plastic waste to high quality products using microwave catalytic pyrolysis. By employing a unique design of the catalyst, sufficient mass and heat transfer and enhanced catalyst surface area were achieved. The addition of LDPE eliminated hazardous elements of heavy oil and promoted secondary and side reactions, resulting in optimized product yield and quality.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mojtaba Mokhtari, Jamal Chaouki
Summary: A reliable estimation of the reactor performance is achieved using a new hydrodynamic model to predict the effect of various parameters on gas holdup, bubble size distribution, and mass transfer coefficient. The study also investigates the influence of catalyst loading, gas velocity, H-2/CO ratio, L/D ratio, pressure, temperature, and catalyst attrition on conversion rate, catalyst productivity, and space-time yield. The results show that catalyst loading, L/D ratio, and temperature increase syngas conversion, while gas velocity and pressure decrease it. The H-2/CO ratio has a maximum conversion at around 2 to 2.5. Catalyst attrition decreases syngas conversion, but constant performance can be maintained with continuous addition of fresh catalyst.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Iman Soleimani, Jaber Shabanian, Jamal Chaouki
Summary: This study proposes two equivalent equations for quantifying interparticle forces (IPFs) in a gas-solid fluidized bed and examines their effects on agglomeration. The first equation, the generalized Umf deviation equation, correlates the magnitude of IPFs to the ratio of experimental and theoretical minimum fluidization velocities. The second equation, the generalized Dynamic Hausner Ratio (DHR) equation, relates the magnitude of IPFs to the agglomerate size as well as the DHR. These equations can be applied in various conditions and help quantify the resultant IPFs acting on particles. The opportunities and limitations of the proposed equations are discussed.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fadoua Laasri, Adrian Carrillo Garcia, Mohammad Latifi, Jamal Chaouki
Summary: This study investigated the decomposition of phosphogypsum (PG) in the presence of carbon monoxide (CO). Experimental results showed that PG decomposes at temperatures above 600 degrees C, yielding mainly CaS at high CO partial pressures and CaO at low CO partial pressures. Thermodynamic simulations confirmed the experimental observations and indicated that a higher CO/CaSO4 molar ratio leads to a higher conversion rate.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Houssam Bouaboula, Mohammed Ouikhalfan, Ismael Saadoune, Jamal Chaouki, Abdelghafour Zaabout, Youssef Belmabkhout
Summary: This study aims to optimize the design and operation of a pilot-scale green ammonia plant powered by renewable energy sources. A novel Techno-Economic (TE) modeling approach is proposed to address the intermittency and unpredictability of renewable energy sources. By considering different site locations with consistent yearly meteorological data and using an original Energy Management Strategy (EMS), the TE model efficiently reduces fluctuation and increases energy production. The results show that the implemented EMS leads to a significant increase in the HB Load Factor (LF) and a reduction in the Levelized Cost of Ammonia (LCOA). The PV/Battery scenario is found to be the most optimal with a projected potential cost reduction in the future.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ri Zhang, Shasha Zhang, Mengyan Ding
Summary: A thin liquid film method is proposed to evaluate sand erosion in annular flow. This method considers the direct interaction between the liquid film and gas core, as well as the entrainment and deposition of droplets. The erosion rate is calculated by considering the effects of liquid entrainment and particle velocity decay. The method is fully verified by comparing with experimental data.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yu Suo, Xianheng Su, Wenyuan He, Xiaofei Fu, Zhejun Pan
Summary: This research investigates the mechanical properties of sandstone-shale composite through orthogonal experimental method and discrete element simulation. The results show that different lithologies and thickness ratios can affect the strength and fracture mode of the composite rock samples.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Maurizio Troiano, Andrea El Hassanin, Roberto Solimene, Alessia Teresa Silvestri, Fabrizio Scala, Antonino Squillace, Piero Salatino
Summary: This study investigates the potential of Fluidized Bed Finishing (FBF) for square flat AlSi10Mg specimens manufactured via Laser-Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing technology. The results show that good finishing can be achieved using rotation-assisted tests, with a maximum reduction of surface roughness by 67%. Steel particles are found to be the most effective bed material.
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Ningbo Song, Wanzhong Yin, Jin Yao
Summary: Seawater's dissolved salts and minerals have various effects on the flotation process, including influencing the characteristics and behavior of flotation factors, as well as affecting the surface of sulfide minerals. In most cases, seawater has adverse effects on the flotation of sulfide minerals, but these effects can be mitigated by adjusting the reagents.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Kaiqiao Wu, Shuxian Jiang, Victor Francia, Marc-Olivier Coppens
Summary: In rectangular and cylindrical annular fluidized beds, pulsating gas flow can create regular bubble patterns, overcoming challenges seen in conventional units. This study provides new opportunities for modularization of fluidized bed operations.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Shuo Li, Huili Zhang, Jan Baeyens, Miao Yang, Zehao Li, Yimin Deng
Summary: The paper assesses the behavior of cohesive Geldart C-type particles when fluidized by air with the aid of vibration. It determines that mechanical vibration is a simple and effective method to improve the fluidity of cohesive particles during fluidization.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhenfei Feng, Qingyuan Zhang, Shanpan Liang, Zhenzhou Li, Fangwen Guo, Jinxin Zhang, Ding Yuan
Summary: A new micro/mini-channel heat sink (MCHS) with a combined structure of longitudinal and transverse vortex generators is designed, using Al2O3 nanofluid as the working medium. The study explores the effects of transverse vortex generator shape and longitudinal vortex generator angle on the hydraulic and thermal characteristics, comprehensive performance, entropy generation, and exergy efficiency. The results show that the triangular transverse vortex generator improves the comprehensive performance and exergy efficiency. Combined with the longitudinal vortex generator, the MCHS achieves the best comprehensive performance, entropy generation, and exergy efficiency when the Reynolds number is 742.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Kostas Giannis, Christoph Thon, Guoqing Yang, Arno Kwade, Carsten Schilde
Summary: This study presents a 3D convolutional neural network (3D-CNN) methodology for generating realistic 3D models of particles. The method trains on 2D projections of particle images to predict their 3D shapes, and evaluates the accuracy of the predictions using Fourier shape descriptors (FSDs). This methodology has wide applications in particle shape analysis.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zheng-qing Zhou, Lu-jia Chai, Yu-long Zhang, Ya-bin Wang, Ze-chen Du, Tian-yi Wang, Yu-zhe Liu
Summary: The dynamic oxidation and shell-breaking processes of aluminum nanoparticles (ANPs) during heating were studied using in situ transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that the changes in shell thickness can be divided into three stages, and the active aluminum content of ANP decreased before shell-breaking.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Fulei Chen, Huaqing Ma, Zihan Liu, Lianyong Zhou, Yongzhi Zhao
Summary: A particle breakage model based on the particle replacement scheme, using the polyhedral model to describe particles, is proposed in this work to accurately describe the breakage of a large number of particles. Additionally, a fast-cutting algorithm is proposed to reproduce the size distribution of progeny particles determined by the breakage model. The validation and simulation results show satisfactory accuracy, efficiency, and stability of the algorithm.
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Matteo Errigo, Christopher Windows-Yule, Massimiliano Materazzi, Dominik Werner, Paola Lettieri
Summary: Gas-solid fluidized-bed systems have advantages in terms of chemical reaction efficiency and temperature control, making them widely used in industrial applications. However, the design, scale-up, and optimization of these complex units are limited by the lack of deep physical understanding. Non-invasive and non-intrusive diagnostic techniques provide a way for researchers to study these systems without affecting the flow field or directly contacting the medium under study.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Saeed Fateh, Mohammad Behshad Shafii, Mohammad Najafi, Cyrus Aghanajafi
Summary: Applying a magnetic field to ferrofluids alters their flow characteristics and enhances heat transfer. Through visualization and quantitative investigation, it is found that the magnetic field influences the flow patterns and velocity profiles, improving fluid mixing and vorticity magnitude.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Lei Gao, Bingbing Wei, Xiaochuan Hu, Zaifeng Yao, Yiwen Fang, Xuejian Gao
Summary: In this study, a numerical model of sand triaxial test was established using discrete element software PFC3D, and an indoor triaxial test was conducted to calibrate the numerical model. The influence of microscopic parameters on the macroscopic mechanical response of sand was analyzed. The results showed that the friction coefficient had the greatest impact on the peak strength and residual strength of the sand's stress-strain curve, and it was positively correlated. The normal tangential stiffness ratio was negatively correlated, while the porosity and boundary flexibility stiffness had minimal influence on it.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xuan Liu, Jie Gong, Kai Jiang, Xiaojuan Lai, Yu Tian, Kang Zhang
Summary: This study aimed to improve the performance of lignite coal water slurries (CWSs) by synthesizing a series of three-arm amphiphilic block copolymers. By controlling the relative molecular weight, hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratio, and ionic group content, the apparent viscosity of CWSs was significantly reduced and the static stability was improved. Thermogravimetric testing and XPS analysis were conducted to reveal the mechanism behind the improved performance.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Lanka Dinushke Weerasiri, Daniel Fabijanic, Subrat Das
Summary: Fluidization at low pressure offers significant benefits for the fine chemical industry. This study investigates the behavior of bubbles and bed expansion under low pressure conditions. It is found that lower pressure leads to larger bubbles, increased bubble quantity, and higher aspect ratio. The predictability is affected by the inhomogeneous fluidization, but low pressure fluidization can generate similar bubble sizes with lower fluidizing mass compared to atmospheric pressure.
