The Multi-phase Fluid Dynamics Research Consortium (MFDRC) was established in 1998 in response to priority research needs identified in the Vision2020 Computational Fluid Dynamics Roadmap (PDF 419 KB). To better understand and model multi-phase flows, consortium members joined to support learning and fundamental research in basic engineering science that will have broad impacts on chemical industry processing and future products.

• Improved CFD software programs and capabilities derived in part from MFDRC results are now available from the national laboratories, Fluent, and ANSYS.
• Developed two alternative modeling techniques leading to new insight into material flows.
• Novel models, validated by data from the consortium's experimental testbed and incorporated into the commercial programs, are expected in three to five years. The commercial impact in chemical manufacturing will ultimately be realized in full-scale commercial plants and products designed and optimized using MFDRC results.

• At least one chemical company is using the lessons learned through the MFDRC to design and pilot-plant a major new chemical process which will be ready to start up in 2007 if approved.
• The MFDRC is developing a scientific community. A preeminent network of research specialists (including company engineers) provides a vital forum for sharing problems and insights and for stimulating new ideas. Twenty-two scientists at the graduate and post-doctoral levels have trained in multiphase flows, expanding the talent pool required by industry to make use of this complex new field of computation. Effective teams have been fostered across diverse academic departments and disciplines at universities and national laboratories. In total, more that 200 professionals have participated.
• Six chemical companies and two engineering software companies in partnership with seven universities and six national laboratories have leveraged $17 million since 1998 to advance the understanding of complex fluid systems.

No next steps are planned at this time.

Members have included ChevronTexaco, Dow Chemical, Dow Corning, DuPont, ExxonMobil, Millennium Chemicals, the engineering software companies Fluent and AEA Technology, seven universities, and six national laboratories. R&D is jointly funded by the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, the DOE Office of Fossil Energy, the National Science Foundation, and participating companies.

Tyler Thompson
The Dow Chemical Company
(989) 636-0330
tbthompson@dow.com