The transformative role of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in chemical engineering

Abstract

Chemical engineering is a discipline intrinsically linked to fluid behavior. From reaction kinetics to reactor design, understanding how fluids flow, mix, and transfer heat is paramount. Traditionally, this relied heavily on experimentation, a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. The emergence of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has revolutionized the field, offering a powerful in-silico approach to analyze fluid dynamics in chemical engineering processes. This review paper explores the transformative role of CFD, examining its impact on various aspects of chemical engineering, including reactor design, optimization, process intensification, scale-up, and safety analysis. The paper also discusses the challenges associated with CFD simulations, ongoing advancements in the field, and potential future directions.