(287a) Finite Element Simulations In The Unit Operations Laboratory

The unit operations laboratory aims to reinforce fundamental principles by connecting theory and equations from text books with data from real equipment. Providing an additional connection between experiment and theory, through computer simulation, might result in more complete physical understanding. COMSOL Multiphysics(TM) is a user friendly, finite-element based, software package that allows students to solve partial differential equations within a specified geometry. We are testing the hypothesis that using this software to set up and solve momentum, energy, and mass balances and also to visualize the velocity, pressure, temperature, and concentration profiles within the equipment will help ?bring to life? not only the experiments but also the mathematics. Use of simulations for a heat exchanger, a gas permeation unit, and a fluid flow apparatus will be discussed. Performance and attitudes of students who used the simulations will be compared to those who did not.