Virtual physics is an emergent technology in the field of biorefinery design and optimization to assist and expand the quality-by-design approach through development of experiment informed and validated multiphysics models and predictive simulations for de-risking the scale-up of granular feedstock preprocessing and handling unit operations (size reduction, screening, feeding and transport, etc.). This presentation will overview the recent progress and challenges in the development of physics-based computational models for granular feedstock preprocessing and handling operations. A variety of models for simulating particle size reduction, fractionation, and granular flow & transport from the laboratory benchmark scale to the pilot operation unit scale will be introduced. The best practice of using those models regarding their suitability and computational costs will be discussed as well.
