A critical evaluation of Navier-Stokes, boundary-layer, and plug-flow models of the flow and chemistry in a catalytic-combustion monolith

The objective of this paper is to evaluate three alternative formulations f or simulating the steady-state flow and chemistry in a honeycomb channel fo r conditions that are typical of the catalytic combustion of natural gas. I n developing simulation capabilities, it is important to understand the phy sical and computational accuracy that a model can deliver and the computati onal resources required to do so. Direct comparison of the solutions, using three different model formulations, reveal the range of validity of the va rious approximations. Computation times range from hours for the Navier-Sto kes formulation to seconds for the plug-flow models. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scie nce B.V. All rights reserved.