PRODUCT

R-FLOW is a commercial thermal fluid and granular flow simulation software consisting of Solver and Pre-Post modules.

R-FLOW was developed around 1990, more than 30 years ago, in order to realize flow simulations of stirred tanks with baffles, which were difficult at that time. Therefore, although it is a general-purpose fluid simulation software, it is equipped with various specialized functions for stirred tanks and screw extruders, such as databases for different types of mixing impellers, agitated tanks, and screw extruders. In recent years, as an application field of stirred tanks, we have also focused on gas absorption and microbial culture simulation in bioreactors, enabling the simulation of various bioreactors that are difficult to simulate with other commercial fluid simulation software.

R-FLOW was originally developed as a fluid simulation software, but around 2000, when granular flow simulations were not yet practical, the simulation target was extended to granular flows, including fluidized beds. At that time, two simulation models were used for granular flow simulations: the continuum model (Eulerian multiphase flow model) and the Discrete Element Model (DEM). However, both models had drawbacks that hindered the practical application of granular flow simulations. Under such circumstances, we developed the representative particle model, a pioneering coarse-grained model based on DEM, for the first time in the world. Practical granular flow simulations are now widespread and R-FLOW has greatly contributed to the practical application of granular flow simulations. Currently, we are energetically engaging in combustion and reaction simulations of solid particles such as waste and biomass, which are difficult to simulate with other commercial software.

In this way, for over 30 years, R-FLOW has tackled cutting-edge topics in fluid and granular flows that were considered difficult to simulate, solving problems and pioneering new themes. Currently, R-FLOW is focusing on the following areas as its specialties.

• Combustion and reaction simulations of solid particles
• Microbial culture and gas absorption simulations in bioreactors
• Thermal flow simulations in single- and twin-screw extruders

For details, please refer to “R-FLOW brochure” and “Simulation Examples”.