The EMMS Principle in Virtual Process Engineering

Abstract

Virtual Process Engineering (VPE), combines computer simulations with real-time, online data to provide engineers with the benefits of so-called virtual reality. VPE will allow engineers to simulate industrial processes with high accuracy and to, in real time, compare simulation outputs with experimental results online, and visualize relevant results dynamically and in 3D [12, 47]. The realization of VPE will require considerable progress in the accuracy of physical modeling, as well as improvements in the capabilities of computing hardware and software. When we applied the EMMS drag model to CFD simulation, we recognized the potential of using the EMMS paradigm to explore VPE. Following the logic of “first calculate the global distribution of a system, then evaluate local (meso-) structure and finally examine dynamics” [18, 43], the predictability and scalability of CFD could be improved substantially because of structural and logical consistency between problem, model, software, and hardware [13, 14, 16]. That is, the global distribution in a reactor can be calculated with the global stability constraints, and then the local stationary structure can be evaluated using the mesoscale stability conditions. Consequently, the dynamic evolution of a system can by modeled by CFD using the evaluated initial conditions (local stationary structures).