Laboratory for Multiphase Processes

Basic research

The Laboratory conducts fundamental research towards the development of advanced numerical methods for multiphase systems and development of physical models for solid-liquid processes. The focus is on meshless methods for transport phenomena in the presence of moving boundaries. The models are developed within the continuum mechanics concept for systems without phase change, like dispersions and porous media as well as systems with melting or solidification phenomena. Description of the processes ranges from the microstructure evolution to coupled macroscopic transfer of mass, energy, momentum and species. The Laboratory is involved in the development of international test cases for Stefan problems and comparisons between numerical models and experiments. The research is incorporated into the European COST and COPERNICUS projects, and in the NATO scientific programme. Principal long-term research links are established with the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany, and University Pierre and Marie Curie, France.

Applied research

Our applied research is directed towards numerical modelling of a wide variety of processes with metallic, polymer or ceramic materials and their composites. The principal interest is in simulation and optimisation of relations between the process parameters and the product properties. An intense collaboration has been established with the aluminium industry IMPOL Slovenska Bistrica for simulation of temperatures, velocities, and concentrations in DC cast aluminium alloy billets and slabs. The collaboration reflects in improved regulation algorithms and substantial enhancement of product quality and process yield. The computer aided automatic optimisation of process parameters in continuous casting of steel, related to domestic, Czech and Finnish steelworks is underway within the European Concerted Research Action, designated as COST-526. A project on modelling of hollow-brick manufacturing and usage started for the Goriške opekarne brickworks. All related industrial process modifications and upgrades are performed in close cooperation with industrial research teams.

Expertise

The Laboratory is successfully working together with Slovenian agencies and regulatory bodies in computer simulation of the planned Slovenian low and intermediate nuclear waste repository. In parallel, the enhancement of our own simulation capabilities for the assessment of the transport of radionuclides and other pollutants in different natural and technological systems is in progress.