Comsol Apps

SUMMARY: Successful teaching of the fundamental chemical enginering principles is critical to preparing the next generation’s workforce. However, in today’s uncertain world of the COVID-19 pandemic most experimental laboratories (including those used for academic courses) have been shut down. This has made delivering “hands on” materials, such as teaching how core chemical engineering labs, especially challenging. Consequently, we have seen an increased demand for virtual instruction materials and visual teaching aids that can help students to learn in a remote setting. COMSOL is a powerful Multiphysics software package with a very intuitive user interface, which makes it an attractive visual accessory for teaching physical phenomena to students. Unfortunately, even with the very detailed tutorials available online, there is still a “learning curve” which prevents many instructors from using it in their courses. Additionally, the COMSOL license may be unaffordable to some smaller schools and universities. Therefore, the goal of this CACHE-sponsored project is to create self-standing executable apps (COMSOL runtime libraries can be downloaded for free), that students / teachers across the world could use “out of the box” in order to learn the science behind basic chemical engineering processes.

Prof’s Voronov’s COMSOL Apps can be found here:

1) PLUG FLOW_TUBE_REACTOR
This application was designed to simulate a plug flow tubular reactor (PFTR) commonly encountered in chemical engineering labs and courses. It was written by Prof. Voronov’s research assistant Chemical Engineering Senior Vasilios C. Halkias, who has won the 2020 International Association for the Engineering Modelling, Analysis and Simulation Community (NAFEMS) Americas & engineering.com Student Award for its development.

Windows – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vb5QAubYr7WBNFT3_N6hnsIRx8yMWVC2/view?usp=sharing
Linux – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VYBGoDNDKGZOx4NmPBE8q-EsNrq9Z6TS/view?usp=sharing
MacOS – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VZYzudy5e9cVPp9i38IKUTSwfL4idsPi/view?usp=sharing

2) 3D PRINTER NOZZLE
This application was designed to demonstrate complex fluid flow and heat transfer occurring within a simple 3D printer nozzle, which is relevant to Structures and Properties of Materials and Additive Manufacturing courses.

Windows – https://drive.google.com/file/d/13AmdGvbfP_PLfgZzltEuqs-28V-4FR33/view?usp=sharing
Linux – https://drive.google.com/file/d/13G3bM2rD3rW4FIdzDuZFC7Ut5ji-DBQZ/view?usp=sharing
MacOS – https://drive.google.com/file/d/13BPQlp-_f6pesmK7BdMs2m6bqOBe5a7J/view?usp=sharing

3) REACTION YIELD ENHANCEMENT VIA BAFFLES IN 2D FLOW
This application was designed to demonstrate how the introduction of baffles can affect a reaction occurring under flow in a simple 2D reactor. The user can run a parametric sweep over two selected parameters (e.g., baffle width and baffle height) and see how changing them improves or worsens the reaction yield (see 3D plot). The results can be used in order to optimize the reactor geometry in order to maximize the yield.

Windows – https://drive.google.com/file/d/12U698hXsz8hf3m14vGOmOVt7WOKSR3cA/view?usp=sharing
Linux – https://drive.google.com/file/d/12V2ax0Qasgq6jJy7Okbh9AGH-ELQpcbr/view?usp=sharing
MacOS – https://drive.google.com/file/d/12adbsEJgNWrgVM8nunXlyKOe5LVL5Hl2/view?usp=sharing

4) IMPELLER OPTIMIZATION IN A STIRRED TANK REACTOR
This application was designed to demonstrate how an impeller morphology can affect the reaction yield in a stirred tank. The user can run a parametric sweep over the thickness and radius of the impeller and changing them improves or worsens the reaction yield (see 3D plot). Additionally, the app can export an STL file so that the students can 3D print the impeller of different sizes and try to reproduce the app’s results in the lab. This is relevant for Unit Ops lab and Kinetics courses.

Windows – https://drive.google.com/file/d/18Wj80FbVR0nC8h8iPn0KgX2c2QoVYTyL/view?usp=sharing
Linux – https://drive.google.com/file/d/18WddHHl3GO9RniQgQRJ6aP170ywy5CPe/view?usp=sharing
MacOS – https://drive.google.com/file/d/18XeDeR9DGpPSvhv4_18qaQSs_D0nQxqp/view?usp=sharing

5) DISPERSION_FROM_A TOXIC_STACK
This application was designed to demonstrate a classical chemical engineering problem that tracks how plumes and puffs of a toxic pollutant distribute down stream from a stack or a ground source that they’ve been released from. The students can plot and animate the results for various conditions tabulated in a textbook. The app is relevant to Safety and Design/Capstone courses.

Windows – https://drive.google.com/file/d/16f4Okf-DdVQ-xrlj3aO4_GtiMQQSO8CL/view?usp=sharing
Linux – https://drive.google.com/file/d/16csvPSTQzEfUgSjY4sUa3PQCjfGJalNR/view?usp=sharing
MacOS – https://drive.google.com/file/d/16k9XIMjJs3PYB3CxcZ1Y-6iNFxf-8eW4/view?usp=sharing

6) LAMINAR_STEADY_PIPE_FLOW
This application was designed to demonstrate a classical chemical engineering problem of laminar flow in a pipe. The students can visualize the flow field and get a feel for how changing the various input parameters affects the Reynold’s number. The app is relevant to the Fluid Flow course.
Windows – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-kvuPclM_qZARgM4l3F6jrhsnBOQ3sgC/view?usp=sharing
Linux – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-fMaSygfw-FnG2cp0EH7QXJiNrKGqnT1/view?usp=sharing
MacOS – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-bqQUu-7N-TrO972yvN3lS-Uq2zmj4Rm/view?usp=sharing

7) LAMINAR_STEADY PIPE_ENTRANCE _FLOW
This application was designed to demonstrate a classical chemical engineering problem of laminar entrance flow in a pipe. The students can visualize how the parabolic velocity profile develops within the entrance region. The app is relevant to the Fluid Flow course.

Windows – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-DFt6gzhNLw72a7qFthsUQ-SVgTQleuq/view?usp=sharing
Linux – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-0hcu2f8qwpqnRa0XSvaQ8yB29aBYZH5/view?usp=sharing
MacOS – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-NnTIFmg-I7Tsfy6_VD0byAHhkBaC1cb/view?usp=sharing

8) HEATED_PIPE_FLOW
This application was designed to demonstrate a classical chemical engineering problem of laminar flow in a heated pipe. The students can the temperature profile evolves based on their inputs. The app is relevant to the Heat Transfer course.

Windows – https://drive.google.com/file/d/14m_K1XtfCbaRSRquzcn0q-mHsqJq9x1a/view?usp=sharing
Linux – https://drive.google.com/file/d/14q0skER4MbshB2_LtXsHrFdQgoFSxgeq/view?usp=sharing
MacOS – https://drive.google.com/file/d/15-jpk30s2p3LCIiRC2kyrl2fq1rUoCi7/view?usp=sharing

9) MASSFLUX_PIPE FLOW
This application was designed to demonstrate a classical chemical engineering problem of laminar flow in a pipe experiencing mass transfer. The students can the concentration profile evolves based on their inputs. The app is relevant to the Mass Transfer course.

Windows – https://drive.google.com/file/d/15KGhnW1yzSD7z8WLxCriS3VMXFFTxCM/view?usp=sharing
Linux – https://drive.google.com/file/d/15KhZBlgvUyHIaKE2vgW3UvZdJE74t7nc/view?usp=sharing
MacOS – https://drive.google.com/file/d/15N_iH24E1u83mHYt7y2PlzbBGtjPu_TI/view?usp=sharing

10) FRICTION LOSS IN PIPE_ELBOW
This application was designed to demonstrate a classical chemical engineering problem of laminar flow in a pipe elbow. The students can vary the elbow angle and various other pipe parameters in order to compare the simulation friction loss results to the correlations from literature. The app is relevant to the Unit Ops lab.

Windows – https://drive.google.com/file/d/16vQMGAVvoD-mOo4RidHdmibJVT7bMOiu/view?usp=sharing
Linux – https://drive.google.com/file/d/16vRkSkWN5GU6DS0tdXYeqcejyUnazeo7/view?usp=sharing
MacOS – https://drive.google.com/file/d/16xN53rKc4Anffi9X76903Ib8DmXLKC-k/view?usp=sharing

11) ORIFICE_FLOWMETER
This application was designed to demonstrate the inner workings of a classical chemical engineering orifice flow meter. The students can compare the simulation results to a solved textbook problem and/or to their lab measurements. The app is relevant to the Unit Ops lab.

Windows – https://drive.google.com/file/d/17dU8y7nMA0DwpvCpD9finGUwHrgMm8Yw/view?usp=sharing
Linux – https://drive.google.com/file/d/17craPRkCpt-WwcY7ltNSOTrI3qGrUnU5/view?usp=sharing
MacOS – https://drive.google.com/file/d/17efsl2ANE9lD2JQO_H8aN0CEjWVbvn8D/view?usp=sharing

12) VENTURI_FLOWMETER
This application was designed to demonstrate the inner workings of a classical chemical engineering venturi flow meter. The students can compare the simulation results to a solved textbook problem and/or to their lab measurements. The app is relevant to the Unit Ops lab.

Windows – https://drive.google.com/file/d/14N_9tjbLv_vSM7ue5krBqOgPRgubxSKO/view?usp=sharing
Linux – https://drive.google.com/file/d/14MmwcPhW8yGsDapR2rhjc2fVbsvRNkxx/view?usp=sharing
MacOS – https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Cgi8hRNea8CsRaOYkBuOskCBinzIewk/view?usp=sharing

13) DIFFUSION_INTO_A_FALLING_FILM
This application was designed to demonstrate a classical chemical engineering problem of gas diffusion into a falling liquid film. The students can compare the simulation results to a solved textbook problem and/or to their lab measurements. The app is relevant to the Mass Transfer course.

Windows – https://drive.google.com/file/d/160rvz6gIv0pPHo8TRaISluLF1TPjh6Ys/view?usp=sharing
Linux – https://drive.google.com/file/d/15zp1xvKROhZNSKbQekSHPZ7vxpMbw7mn/view?usp=sharing
MacOS – https://drive.google.com/file/d/169zMtwjg0QyFeNX845nmO3zYNUHLaYg4/view?usp=sharing

14) FLOW_AROUND_CAR
This application was designed to demonstrate a “fun” chemical engineering problem of calculating the drag coefficient around a streamlined body (in this case a car). The students are then able to compare the simulation results to a drag coefficient plot for a rounded nose cylinder.

Windows – https://drive.google.com/file/d/11KWu3hQvop4s-zCjUZKONUpMX44rmVns/view?usp=sharing
Linux – https://drive.google.com/file/d/11Lg-rIPL9_1j4AS6MlpH17VZqqfdPJwE/view?usp=sharing
MacOS – https://drive.google.com/file/d/11QRm_2CkYtqnEVqp8XeZAS6TeOolIl8O/view?usp=sharing

15) FLOW_AROUND_AN_AIRPLANE
This application was designed to demonstrate a “fun” chemical engineering problem of calculating the drag coefficient around a less streamlined body (in this case an airplane). The students are then able to compare the simulation results to a drag coefficient plot for a blunted and rounded nose cylinders.

Windows – https://drive.google.com/file/d/10rosNa88cdjrcHlCe6zpeozInjqQm58_/view?usp=sharing
Linux – https://drive.google.com/file/d/10iYXKnql6sNyMFXrSBeLxa_PoKWP_t9w/view?usp=sharing
MacOS – https://drive.google.com/file/d/10qqJFHg0wbX9ZVHKtbVa-HaPJk470h28/view?usp=sharing

3) Please do NOT open executable files obtained from places other than this website (e.g., a student sending you a copy of my app), because it is possible that malware could have been added to them. So please only download them DIRECTLY from this website.