BRICK - a 1D tool for transient multiphase vessel flow simulations based on a new particle method

A one-dimensional model for multiphase flow in a vessel was developed. The model bases on a new particle method and is free of numerical diffusion. This allows a consistent simulation of discontinuities such as the top level of the mixture without additional level tracking methods. The model distinguishes between continuous and dispersed phases. Levels mark the locations where the continuous phase change. This model for multiphase transport is the basic component of a new computer code. Flexible interfaces allow a convenient coupling of this model with constitutive laws for special phenomena. A special goal of the code is the transient simulation of emergency relief from chemical reactors with consideration of foam. For this reason the code was equiped with models for pressure calculation, conservation of energy, phase transfer, bubble generation, bubble growth, coalescence, drift of the phases, heat release from the vessel wall, discharge and homogeneous chemical reactions. A special interface, which enables the modelling of generation and decay of foam at the top level of the mixture, is included. Any of the phases can consist of several components. The code was validated for numerous depressurization experiments.