Computational Analysis of Catalytic Combustion Using Finite Volume Method (FVM): Advantages, Constraints, and Potential Applications

This study explores the computational analysis of catalytic combustion in cylindrical reactors using the Finite Volume Method (FVM) within Ansys Fluent. Through the incorporation of a combustion channel to facilitate diesel combustion, Ansys Fluent is utilized to predict the fluid dynamics during ca...

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Main Authors: Muhammad Ahsan, Muhammad Farhan Rafique
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Engineering Proceedings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4591/67/1/89
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author Muhammad Ahsan
Muhammad Farhan Rafique
author_facet Muhammad Ahsan
Muhammad Farhan Rafique
author_sort Muhammad Ahsan
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the computational analysis of catalytic combustion in cylindrical reactors using the Finite Volume Method (FVM) within Ansys Fluent. Through the incorporation of a combustion channel to facilitate diesel combustion, Ansys Fluent is utilized to predict the fluid dynamics during catalytic combustion. An extensive reaction mechanism file containing all related reactions is added into Ansys Fluent to model the catalytic combustion of methane. In this study, the catalyzed combustion of a methane, hydrogen, and air mixture is simulated on a heated platinum wall within a cylindrical channel using a 2D axisymmetric solver. Two mechanism files are employed: one defining gaseous species and the other including surface species definitions and surface reactions. Volumetric reactions are excluded from this analysis. The cylindrical channel comprises three sections: inlet, catalytic, and outlet, with the catalyzed reactions occurring on the wall surface of the catalytic section. The simulation results exhibit a gradual decrease in the mass fraction of reactants as catalytic combustion proceeds within the chamber, accompanied by a simultaneous increase in product formation. In particular, the presence of a catalytic channel within the combustion chamber catalyzes the combustion reaction, resulting in a higher chamber temperature. This study also presents predicted mass fraction profiles for both reactants and combustion products, highlighting the efficiency of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations in predicting chemical processes, particularly catalytic combustion. This research contributes to the understanding of complex phenomena such as catalytic combustion and underscores the potential of CFD simulations in explaining complicated chemical processes.
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spelling doaj-art-3237a4e56c48473c9911d5dda01ea3ab2025-08-20T02:24:38ZengMDPI AGEngineering Proceedings2673-45912025-04-016718910.3390/engproc2024067089Computational Analysis of Catalytic Combustion Using Finite Volume Method (FVM): Advantages, Constraints, and Potential ApplicationsMuhammad Ahsan0Muhammad Farhan Rafique1School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, PakistanSchool of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, PakistanThis study explores the computational analysis of catalytic combustion in cylindrical reactors using the Finite Volume Method (FVM) within Ansys Fluent. Through the incorporation of a combustion channel to facilitate diesel combustion, Ansys Fluent is utilized to predict the fluid dynamics during catalytic combustion. An extensive reaction mechanism file containing all related reactions is added into Ansys Fluent to model the catalytic combustion of methane. In this study, the catalyzed combustion of a methane, hydrogen, and air mixture is simulated on a heated platinum wall within a cylindrical channel using a 2D axisymmetric solver. Two mechanism files are employed: one defining gaseous species and the other including surface species definitions and surface reactions. Volumetric reactions are excluded from this analysis. The cylindrical channel comprises three sections: inlet, catalytic, and outlet, with the catalyzed reactions occurring on the wall surface of the catalytic section. The simulation results exhibit a gradual decrease in the mass fraction of reactants as catalytic combustion proceeds within the chamber, accompanied by a simultaneous increase in product formation. In particular, the presence of a catalytic channel within the combustion chamber catalyzes the combustion reaction, resulting in a higher chamber temperature. This study also presents predicted mass fraction profiles for both reactants and combustion products, highlighting the efficiency of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations in predicting chemical processes, particularly catalytic combustion. This research contributes to the understanding of complex phenomena such as catalytic combustion and underscores the potential of CFD simulations in explaining complicated chemical processes.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4591/67/1/89catalytic combustionfinite volume method (FVM)computational fluid dynamics (CFD)reaction mechanism
spellingShingle Muhammad Ahsan
Muhammad Farhan Rafique
Computational Analysis of Catalytic Combustion Using Finite Volume Method (FVM): Advantages, Constraints, and Potential Applications
Engineering Proceedings
catalytic combustion
finite volume method (FVM)
computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
reaction mechanism
title Computational Analysis of Catalytic Combustion Using Finite Volume Method (FVM): Advantages, Constraints, and Potential Applications
title_full Computational Analysis of Catalytic Combustion Using Finite Volume Method (FVM): Advantages, Constraints, and Potential Applications
title_fullStr Computational Analysis of Catalytic Combustion Using Finite Volume Method (FVM): Advantages, Constraints, and Potential Applications
title_full_unstemmed Computational Analysis of Catalytic Combustion Using Finite Volume Method (FVM): Advantages, Constraints, and Potential Applications
title_short Computational Analysis of Catalytic Combustion Using Finite Volume Method (FVM): Advantages, Constraints, and Potential Applications
title_sort computational analysis of catalytic combustion using finite volume method fvm advantages constraints and potential applications
topic catalytic combustion
finite volume method (FVM)
computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
reaction mechanism
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4591/67/1/89
work_keys_str_mv AT muhammadahsan computationalanalysisofcatalyticcombustionusingfinitevolumemethodfvmadvantagesconstraintsandpotentialapplications
AT muhammadfarhanrafique computationalanalysisofcatalyticcombustionusingfinitevolumemethodfvmadvantagesconstraintsandpotentialapplications