A numerical model was evaluated including Arrhenius reaction kinetics
to simulate multiphase flows with intense reactions and severe propert
y gradients. Although these problems are common in chemical engineerin
g, such an extreme case as detonation propagation in a dispersed parti
culate flow was investigated. The model was evaluated with respect to
the form of the conversation relations being simulated, frame invarian
ce verification, constitutive relations, numerical stability, numerica
l diffusion, and model verification using available experimental resul
ts and equilibrium thermochemical predictions. The model was adequate
with respect to numerical issues of particular concern such his stabil
ity and numerical diffusion. To simulate experimental results realisti
cally Arrhenius reaction kinetics alone were insufficient. When consid
ering important physical mechanisms in the reaction modeling based on
single particle heat transfer, the multiphase model simulates experime
ntal results realistically.