Moving Finite Element Method Fundamentals and Applications in Chemical Engineering

This book focuses on process simulation in chemical engineering with a numerical algorithm based on the moving finite element method (MFEM). It offers new tools and approaches for modeling and simulating time-dependent problems with moving fronts and with moving boundaries described by time-dependent convection-reaction-diffusion partial differential equations in one or two-dimensional space domains. It provides a comprehensive account of the development of the moving finite element method, describing and analyzing the theoretical and practical aspects of the MFEM for models in 1D, 1D+1d, and 2D space domains. Mathematical models are universal, and the book reviews successful applications of MFEM to solve engineering problems. It covers a broad range of application algorithm to engineering problems, namely on separation and reaction processes presenting and discussing relevant numerical applications of the moving finite element method derived from real-world process simulations.

1. Modeling and Simulation in Chemical Engineering. 2. The Moving Finite Elements Method. 3. Solving 1D Time-Dependent Models. 4. Solving 2D Time-Dependent Problems. 5. Solving Two Scales 1D+1d Time-Dependent Problems. 6. Solving Moving Boundary Problems. 7. Looking Ahead. 8. Index

Alírio E. Rodrigues is an emeritus professor in the Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering at the University of Porto, Portugal.

Maria do Carmo Coimbra has been working in the area of numerical analysis since 1993. Her research focuses on computational mathematics for the solution of challenging problems arising in chemical engineering. She has been involved in high performance computing and development of numerical software to solve nonlinear partial differential equations at the Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCM. Her research interests include moving finite element method and its applications to time-dependent differential equations in one- or two-dimensional spatial domains including moving boundary problems. She is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at the University of Porto, Faculty of Engineering, Portugal.