OVERVIEW

Development of models for the numerical simulation of transport phenomena (mass, energy and momentum) applied to complex materials (e.g. polymers) with the aid of the computational modeling software Comsol Multiphysics.
The theoretical principles of advanced numerical simulation of problems involving the materials commonly used in the process industry and the technical skills to use a computational code for solving the models that describe them will be provided.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to: 1) develop mathematical models for fluid dynamics problems 2) acquire the theoretical principles of advanced numerical simulation of fluid dynamics problems 3) use a computational code to solve these models. At the end of the module the student will have acquired the necessary skills to set up and run a numerical simulation and analyze the results of problems involving mass, momentum and heat transport by solving the governing equations through a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. The software will be applied to solve various problems of interest to the process industry and, in particular, to product engineering.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide students with the necessary skills to set up and run a numerical simulation and analyze the results of problems involving mass, momentum and heat transport by solving the government equations through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. The software will be applied to solve various problems of interest to the process industry and, in particular, to product engineering.

Expected learning outcomes:
(i) ability to develop mathematical models for fluid dynamics problems
(ii) knowledge of the theoretical principles of advanced numerical simulation of fluid dynamics problems
(iii) ability to use a calculation code for the resolution of such models

Professional Profile Recommended:
Materials scientist: specialist in technology

PREREQUISITES

No prerequisite required.

TEACHING METHODS

The entire program will be delivered through lectures.
Notes for each lecture will be available on AulaWeb in slide collections prior to the lecture itself.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Theory (3 CFU)

• Mass, energy and momentum balance equations. Constitutive equation for Newtonian fluids. Navier-Stokes equations.
• Boundary conditions for the Navier-Stokes equations and for the energy balance equations.
• Set-up of a numerical simulation. Convergence of the calculation grid. Adequacy of the computing domain. Stationary and transient simulations. Analysis of the results.
• Non-Newtonian fluids. Generalities and phenomenology. Constitutive equations for generalized, viscoplastic and viscoelastic Newtonian fluids. Numerical simulation of generalized, viscoplastic and viscoelastic Newtonian fluids.
• Simulation of the rheology of suspensions and composite materials.

Practice (3 CFU)

• Introduction to computational fluid dynamics codes. Lab exercises for the use of the COMSOL Multiphysics software.
• Definition and development of case geometry and mesh.
• Simulation set-up. Definition of parameters and boundary conditions. Resolution of the balance equations and post-processing of the results.
• Development of models for the numerical simulation of transport phenomena:
  • steady and transient flows, isothermal or not, laminar and turbulent.
  • diluted and concentrated solutions with chemical reaction (convection-diffusion-reaction equation).
  • generalized Newtonian fluids, viscoplastic and viscoelastic fluids.
  • fluid dynamics of the suspensions. Tracking of particles.
  • rheology of composite materials.

The teaching contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda:

Goal 4: Provide quality, equitable and inclusive education and learning opportunities for all
Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and emancipate all women and girls
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Notes of the lessons.

R.B. Bird, W.E. Stewart, E.N. Lightfoot, Transport Phenomena, Wiley, 2002

User's guide di COMSOL Multiphysics.

Material available on https://www.cfd-online.com

Supplementary material will be provided on request to working students or students with SLD to meet specific needs.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The second semester classes will begin on February 23, 2026, and end on June 19, 2026, with breaks as scheduled in the School of Science academic calendar.
The class schedule is available at https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Periodic learning checks - Final oral exam.
The oral exam will consist of a series of questions and subsequent discussion on the resolution of a case study previously assigned to the student, in order to evaluate the correct achievement of the learning outcomes (see "assessment methods").
Further information will be provided during the teaching (during the first lesson, and subsequently at the request of the student).

For students with disabilities or with SLD please refer to the Further Information section.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The attendance of the lessons constitutes a fundamental prerequisite for the achievement of the learning outcomes of the teaching.
The discussion on the resolution of the assigned case study will allow the verification of the actual achievement of these outcomes.
At the same time, the student's critical reasoning skills and his ability to answer specific questions in a clear and direct way will be assessed.
In particular, the student's ability to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in response to realistic scenarios or to solve simple problems will also be positively evaluated.
If the learning outcomes are not achieved, the student will be invited to deepen the study and to make use of further explanations by the teacher.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) are reminded that in order to request accommodations during exams, they must first upload their certification to the University website at servizionline.unige.it in the “Students” section. The documentation will be verified by the University's Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLDs, as indicated on the federated website at the link: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa.

Subsequently, well in advance (at least 10 days) of the exam date, an email must be sent to the professor with whom the exam will be taken, copying in both the School Referent for the inclusion of students with disabilities and SLDs (sergio.didomizio@unige.it) and the above-mentioned Department. The email must specify:

• the name of the teaching
• the date of the exam
• the student's surname, first name, and student ID number
• the compensatory tools and dispensatory measures deemed functional and requested.

The contact person will confirm to the teacher that the applicant is entitled to request adjustments during the exam and that these adjustments must be agreed upon with the teacher. The teacher will respond by communicating whether it is possible to use the requested adjustments.

Requests must be sent at least 10 days before the exam date in order to allow the teacher to evaluate their content. In particular, if you intend to use concept maps for the exam (which must be much more concise than the maps used for study), if the request is not sent within the specified time frame, there will not be enough time to make any changes.

For further information on requesting services and accommodations, please refer to the document: Linee guida per la richiesta di servizi, di strumenti compensativi e/o di misure dispensative e di ausili specifici.