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Numerical Modeling and Simulation of Multiphase Flows in Industrial and...
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Numerical Modeling and Simulation of Multiphase Flows in Industrial and Environmental Applications

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical Processes and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 4124

Editors

Prof. Dr. Santiago Laín

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Basic Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Occidente, Cali, Colombia
Interests: fluid mechanics; multiphase flow; computational fluid dynamics; turbulence; heat and mass transfer; renewable energy; hydrogen technologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Aldo Benavides-Moran

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Grupo de Modelado y Métodos Numéricos en Ingeniería, Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica y Mecatrónica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Carrera 30 No 45A-03, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
Interests: computational fluid dynamics; gas–solid two-phase flows; two-fluid model; kinetic theory of granular flows; turbulence modulation; fluidized beds; hydrokinetic turbines
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Juan Ricardo Vidal Medina

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
GIEN Group, Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Autónoma de Occidente, Cali 760030, Colombia
Interests: energy efficiency; heat transfer processes; renewable energy; thermal systems optimization; cogeneration systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Multiphase flows—such as gas–solid, liquid–gas, solid–liquid, and three-phase systems—play a fundamental role in various engineering, environmental, biological, and natural processes. They are critical to the optimum design and safe operation of systems in chemical processing, energy, pharmaceuticals, and food production industries. Moreover, multiphase phenomena also appear in natural and biological systems, where a deeper understanding is essential.

As engineering systems grow in size and are pushed to operate under more demanding conditions, an accurate understanding of the underlying physics governing multiphase flows becomes indispensable—not only for safety but also for ensuring economic efficiency. Traditionally, the design of such systems has relied on static experimental correlations. However, there is a growing shift toward using mathematical models capable of predicting dynamic behavior, such as transient responses and system stability. Although experimental studies remain valuable, they are often expensive and time-consuming. In contrast, advances in computational fluid dynamics (CFDs), numerical algorithms, and computational power now provide powerful tools for exploring the complex physics of multiphase flows across scales. Because realistic and accurate models of two-phase or multiphase flow are inherently complex and rarely solvable analytically, so they must be addressed through numerical methods implemented within CFD frameworks. These tools are essential for predicting operational limits, guiding optimal design, and ensuring safe control of modern multiphase systems.

This Special Issue, “Numerical Modeling and Simulation of Multiphase Flows in industrial and environmental applications”, invites original research and review articles showcasing recent progress in multiphase flow modeling, simulation, and analysis. We welcome contributions that address fundamental advances, practical applications, or methodological innovations in numerical modeling and simulation of multiphase flows, particularly those that enhance predictive capabilities or reduce computational costs.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Development, verification, and validation of advanced CFD models (e.g., particle-resolved DNS, DEM/CGDEM, two-fluid models, MPPIC);
  • Modeling and simulations of turbulent multiphase flow, both reactive and non-reactive;
  • Heat and mass transfer in multiphase flows;
  • Multiscale modeling and simulation strategies (micro, meso, macro);
  • Applications of CFD to reactor design, optimization, and scale-up;
  • Integration of machine learning with CFD models;
  • High-performance computing (e.g., parallel computing, GPU acceleration, hybrid CPU–GPU frameworks).

We look forward to your valuable contributions that will advance the understanding and application of numerical tools in multiphase flow systems.

Prof. Dr. Santiago Lain
Dr. Aldo Benavides-Moran
Dr. Juan Ricardo Vidal Medina
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • computational fluid dynamics
  • machine learning
  • particles, bubbles, and droplets
  • multiscale modeling
  • heat and mass transfer
  • reactive and non-reactive multiphase flows
  • turbulence

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 8060 KB  
Article
Numerical Investigation of a Concentration Divider for Ultrasound Calibration Using Constructal Design
by Kamille V. Machado, Vinicius R. Pepe, Fernanda Haeberle, António F. Miguel, Flávia S. F. Zinani and Luiz A. O. Rocha
Processes 2026, 14(11), 1837; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14111837 - 5 Jun 2026
Viewed by 272
Abstract
This study applies the Constructal Design method to the geometric optimization of a branched symmetric concentration divider for calibrating ultrasound devices used to monitor tumor response with dynamic contrast. Accurate calibration ensures image quality and diagnostic reliability. The geometry consists of a three-dimensional, [...] Read more.
This study applies the Constructal Design method to the geometric optimization of a branched symmetric concentration divider for calibrating ultrasound devices used to monitor tumor response with dynamic contrast. Accurate calibration ensures image quality and diagnostic reliability. The geometry consists of a three-dimensional, tree-shaped flow network with two inlets and three outlets, where inlet 1 carries water containing contrast particles, while inlet 2 carries only water. Laminar flow simulations are performed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with Ansys Fluent, assuming no-slip wall conditions and zero-pressure outlets. The analysis investigates the effects of the inlet velocity ratio, the diameter ratio, and the vertical positions of the central outlet and inlet tubes, while keeping the total volume and inlet diameter constant. Additionally, velocity, pressure, particle distributions, flow partition ratio, and hydraulic resistance are evaluated. Results show nearly linear concentration responses among the outlets (100%, 50%, and 0%) when the device approaches geometric symmetry with equal inlet velocities, demonstrating efficient control of flow splitting. Although the diameter ratio imposes a trade-off with hydraulic resistance, geometric symmetry combined with Constructal Design promotes improved flow uniformity and enhanced performance, with potential applications in microfluidic mixers that require precise intermediate concentrations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Modeling and Simulation of Multiphase Flows in Industrial and Environmental Applications)
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23 pages, 4010 KB  
Article
Aerodynamic Transport Characteristics of Irregular Harmonic Particles at Finite Reynolds Numbers
by Carlos Castang, Daniela Chavarro and Santiago Laín
Processes 2026, 14(8), 1255; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14081255 - 15 Apr 2026
Viewed by 671
Abstract
This study presents the characterization of the aerodynamic forces and moments acting on irregular particles of prescribed sphericity, generated through truncated spherical harmonic expansions and immersed in a uniform flow at intermediate Reynolds numbers (1 ≤ Re ≤ 200). Particle-resolved direct numerical simulations [...] Read more.
This study presents the characterization of the aerodynamic forces and moments acting on irregular particles of prescribed sphericity, generated through truncated spherical harmonic expansions and immersed in a uniform flow at intermediate Reynolds numbers (1 ≤ Re ≤ 200). Particle-resolved direct numerical simulations are conducted using the commercial solver ANSYS Fluent to quantify the statistical behavior of drag, transverse lift, and transverse torque coefficients, along with the corresponding force and moment components, as a function of Reynolds number. Deviations from spherical geometry are shown to induce persistent flow asymmetries, leading to finite transverse lift and torque components even under uniform inflow conditions, effects that cannot be captured by models based on dynamically equivalent spheres. For a sphericity of 0.93, represented by six particle realizations, irregular particles exhibit mean drag values approximately 10% higher than those of spheres with the same equivalent diameter. In addition, both the magnitude and the statistical characteristics of the aerodynamic coefficients are strongly modulated by the combined effects of particle shape irregularity and flow regime. These results provide new insight into the role of geometric complexity in fluid–particle interactions and represent a step forward toward improved predictive capability beyond conventional spherical and quasi-spherical approximations. Furthermore, the present findings provide a physically grounded basis for the development of fluid–particle interaction models for irregular particles, suitable for implementation within Euler–Lagrange simulations of turbulent dispersed flows. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Modeling and Simulation of Multiphase Flows in Industrial and Environmental Applications)
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15 pages, 2720 KB  
Article
Modeling and Analysis of Key Factors Influencing Water Mist Fire Suppression Efficiency
by Juan Liu and Mingli He
Processes 2026, 14(2), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14020205 - 7 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1037
Abstract
Existing experimental findings often prove insufficient for guiding the design of water mist fire extinguishing systems, primarily due to the multitude of interacting factors that influence extinguishing performance. This paper systematically synthesizes these factors and delineates their logical interrelationships based on the extinguishing [...] Read more.
Existing experimental findings often prove insufficient for guiding the design of water mist fire extinguishing systems, primarily due to the multitude of interacting factors that influence extinguishing performance. This paper systematically synthesizes these factors and delineates their logical interrelationships based on the extinguishing mechanisms of water mist and a review of the existing literature. The analysis focuses on direct influencing factors by modeling the motion, heat transfer and mass transfer of water mist within the flame zone. The results indicate that, when the influence of the fire flame is negligible, the required velocity and droplet diameter of water mist entering the zone can be determined based on the flame temperature differential and flame height. When plume effects are significant, water mist predominantly enters the flame zone from the top and periphery. Under such conditions, determining the mist velocity and diameter should aim to maximize the total heat absorption power of droplets entering via these two pathways. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the design of a water mist fire extinguishing system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Modeling and Simulation of Multiphase Flows in Industrial and Environmental Applications)
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34 pages, 12075 KB  
Article
Offset Temperature and Amplitude–Frequency Effect on Convection Heat Transfer in Partially Gradient Porous Cavity with Different Outlet Port Locations
by Luma F. Ali and Amjad J. Humaidi
Processes 2025, 13(7), 2279; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13072279 - 17 Jul 2025
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1130
Abstract
Based on admirable porous media performance and the popularity of additive manufacturing technology, gradient porous media are progressively being applied in increasing fields. In this study, convection heat transfer within a square vented cavity, partially occupied by two copper metal foam layers of [...] Read more.
Based on admirable porous media performance and the popularity of additive manufacturing technology, gradient porous media are progressively being applied in increasing fields. In this study, convection heat transfer within a square vented cavity, partially occupied by two copper metal foam layers of 10 and 20 PPI saturated with nanofluid, was assessed numerically. The left wall was heated uniformly and non-uniformly by applying multi-frequency spatial heating following a sinusoidal function. Governing equations, including continuity, the Darcy–Brinkmann–Forchheimer model, and local thermal non-equilibrium energy equations, were adopted and solved by employing the finite volume method. The influences of relevant parameters, including nanoparticle concentrations 0%≤φ≤10%, Reynolds number (1≤Re≤100), inlet and outlet port aspect ratios 0.1≤D/H≤0.4, three outlet vent opening locations (So=0 left, (So=H/2−D/2) middle, and (So=H−D) right), sinusoidal offset temperature (θo=0.5, 1), frequency (f=1, 3, 5), and amplitude (A=0−1), were examined. The results demonstrate that flow and heat transfer fields are impacted mainly by these parameters. Streamlines are more intensified at the upper-left corner when the outlet opening vent is shifted towards the right-corner upper wall. Fluid- and solid-phase Nusselt number increases Re, D/H, θo, A, and f are raised, specifically when A≥0.3. The Nusselt number remains constant when the frequency is raised from 3 to 5, definitely when D/H≥0.25. In uniform and non-uniform heating cases, the Nusselt number of both phases remains constant as the outlet port is shifted right for Re≤10 and slightly for higher Re as the outlet vent location is translated from left to right. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Modeling and Simulation of Multiphase Flows in Industrial and Environmental Applications)
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