We present a review of numerical models and related (CFD) simulations for the so-called RESS process (rapid expansion of supercritical solutions), which has been attracted with so much attention in the literature for the potential applications related to the production of microparticulates of selected materials with controllable morphology and narrow-size distributions (using supercritical fluids, especially the carbon dioxide). The numerical computation of supercritical fluid flows in general is extremely challenging because of the complexity of the involved physical processes and the different space and time scales. The aim of this study is the focused analysis of advanced mathematical modeling of the supercritical fluid expansion in the RESS process with the specific intent of delineating a possible strategy for optimizing operating parameters. In particular, temperature, pressure, composition, flow rate and reactor dimensions are considered as variables potentially impacting the transport and growth of crystallized particles.
©2012 Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin/Boston