Simulation of fluid flow on natural biomass porous medium using COMSOL Multiphysics Software

Modeling and simulation of fluid flow are considered essential for engineers and scientists to better understand, develop, optimize, and control a process. In the fields of the microfluidics and porous media, researchers are constantly trying to develop innovative geometry microchannel to achieve optimum effectiveness. The difficulty in fabricating microchannel also leads to increases in manufacturing costs. Therefore, it becomes difficult or even impossible to use such structures in tests. However, programs for numerical simulation show their advantages in terms of functionality, pricing, and usability. This investigation was focused on a numerical analysis of fluid flows using cider vinegar residues as the porous medium and employing COMSOL Multiphysics Software. The porous medium was modeled from scanning electron microscopy images of the residues, which showed that the surface was irregular and porous. These images were converted to a binary file using ImageJ software and then saved as DXF file utilizing Inkscape software to make them geometry readable in COMSOL. The fluid flow was simulated for different cases. The inflow of a Newtonian fluid into a porous medium was mathematically described by the Navier-Stokes equation and the continuity equation. The results demonstrated the application of boundary conditions, thus making it possible to trace the streamlines, velocity, and pressure.