| Chemical Engineering
“Understanding the interaction of different phases during the transport processes and separations is an important aspect, provides the scope for thorough insights and new efficient separation devices.”
The broad application of computational techniques such as CFD and DEM to particulate flows in chemical, mineral processing, and energy industries has a huge potential to understand the fundamental flow behavior, particle/disperse phase dynamics and influence of turbulence on separations. We also focus on experimental investigation of the phasic information utilizing process tomography (ERT, PEPT) and imaging techniques.
1.Development and application the multi-phase computational models for mineral processing and particulate flows is challenging due to complex interaction of phases apart from their anisotropic turbulence. We develop these via CFD, DEM and coupled approaches.
2.Characterizing particulate flows is quite difficult due to its opaque and involved phasic interaction. We seek to measure these via process tomography such as Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) and Positron Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT) and imaging.
3.Most of the mineral separation units are designed vis trail and error or correlations based. We seek to develop new improved designs using multi-phase CFD and systematic experimental methods. Industrial Cyclones & spirals for coal separation, classification and gravity separation are made via this route.
4.Currently single avg. density mathematical modes (gravity spns). Multi-component performance models are necessary for performance prediction. We seek to simulate and understand the interactions between the different components using experimental and multiphase CFD methods, which may lead us to develop an improved mathematical models.
1.T.R. Vakamalla, V.B.R. Koruprolu, R. Arugonda, N. Mangadoddy, Development of Novel Hydrocyclone Designs for Improved Fines Classification Using Multiphase CFD Model, Separation and Purification Technology, 175, 24, 481–497 (2017).
2.Balraju Vadlakonda Narasimha Mangadoddy, Hydrodynamic study of three-phase flow in column flotation using Electrical Resistance Tomography coupled with pressure transducers, Separation and Purification Technology, 203, 274-288 (2018).
3. Mandakini Padhi, Mayank Kumar, Narasimha Mangadoddy, Understanding the Bicomponent Particle Separation Mechanism in a Hydrocyclone Using a Computational Fluid Dynamics Model, I&ECR, 59, 11621–11644 (2020).