Dennis (Dennis) Vigil
Title(s):
Professor and Reginald R. Baxter Endowed Department Chair
Office
3037 Sweeney
618 Bissell Rd.
Ames, IA 50011-1098
Information
Links
Education
Interest Areas
Research Projects
- Kinetics of Coagulation and Breakage: Particle clustering, bubble or droplet coalescence, and breakage are ubiquitous phenomena in both nature and in chemical process equipment. The analysis, design, and optimization of such equipment require a solution of population balance models coupled to transport equations. We are interested in developing improved coagulation and breakup simulation models as well as experimental techniques for a mechanistic understanding of aggregation and breakage kinetics.
- Multiphase Taylor Vortex Flow: The flow structure in a Taylor vortex reactor (concentric cylinders, with the inner cylinder spinning) has applications to a variety of chemical and biological processing problems, such as emulsion polymerization, extraction, and cultivation of microalgae. The optimization of these systems requires a fundamental understanding of the effect of various operational parameters on the hydrodynamic structure and mixing characteristics. We are working to develop this understanding for both liquid-gas and liquid-liquid systems through the use of particle image velocimetry experiments and CFD calculations.
- Experimental and simulation-based validation of breakage rate kernels for liquid-liquid contacting equipment: We are using optical methods to observe droplet breakage events in a von Karman box under conditions of homogeneous isotropic turbulence. We are also comparing the breakage data with VOF simulation predictions.
- Phase separation in non-Newtonian emulsions: Most medical ointments are liquid emulsions consisting of one or more non-Newtonian components and these mixtures often exhibit yield-stress and shear-thinning behavior. We are interested in developing a better understanding of the rheology and stability against phase separation of these mixtures, particularly in response to changes in temperature and shear strain rate.
- Taylor vortex fermenter-extractor-separator: We are developing a continuous flow bioreactor that takes advantage of favorable characteristics of Taylor vortices as well as the centrifugal separation potential of these devices to simultaneously carry out dark fermentation, product extraction, and phase separation. This device will be redeployable and will eliminate some downstream processing equipment.
Publications
K. Ravichandar, R. D. Vigil, and M. G. Olsen*, Fitting parameter estimations for droplet breakage rate models, Physics of Fluids, 36, 013344 (2024). doi:10.1063/5.0173987
K. Ravichandar, R. D. Vigil, and M. G. Olsen*, Design and operation of a von Kármán reactor for droplet breakage experiments, Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, 95, 102517 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.flowmeasinst.2023.102517
K. Ravichandar, M. G. Olsen, and R. D. Vigil*, Turbulent droplet breakage probability: Analysis of fitting parameters for two commonly used models, Chemical Engineering Science, 266, 118311 (2023). doi:10.1016/j.ces.2022.118311
K. Ravichandar, R. D. Vigil, R. O. Fox, S. Nachtigall, A. Daiss, M. Vonka, and M. G. Olsen*, Turbulent droplet breakage in a von Kármán flow cell, Physics of Fluids, 34, 073319 (2022). doi:10.1063/5.0096395.
H. Nadeem, R. D. Vigil, A. Samuel, A. Sarkar, T. Yeoh, and M. G. Olsen*, Coalescence-induced phase separation of an oil in water emulsion under controlled shear and temperature conditions, Journal of Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 182, 517-524 (2022). doi:10.1016/j.cherd.2022.04.024
A. Haghighat, M. G. Olsen*, R. D. Vigil, and A. Sarkar, Droplet coalescence and phase separation in a topical ointment: Effects of fluid shear and temperature, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 591, 119872 (2020). doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119872
M. Ramezani, A. Haghighat, M. Legg, R. D. Vigil, and M. G. Olsen*, Evolution of bubble size distribution, number density, and shape in semi-batch vertical gas-liquid Taylor vortex flow, AIChE J, 66, e17003 (2020). doi:10.1002/aic.17003
C. C. Campbell, M. G. Olsen, and R. D. Vigil*, Droplet size distributions in liquid-liquid semi-batch Taylor vortex flow, AIP Advances, 10, (2020). doi:10.1063/5.0018065.
C. C. Campbell, M.G. Olsen, and R.D. Vigil*, Jet breakup regimes in liquid-liquid Taylor vortex flow, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 131, 103401 (2020). doi:10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2020.103401.
C. C. Campbell, M. G. Olsen*, and R. D. Vigil, Flow regimes in two-phase hexane/water semibatch vertical Taylor vortex flow, Journal of Fluids Engineering, 141, 111203 (2019). doi:10.1115/1.4043493.
X. Gao, B. Kong*, and R. D. Vigil, Simulation of algal photobioreactors: recent developments and challenges, Biotechnology Letters, 40, 1311-1327 (2018). doi:10.1007/s10529-018-2595-3
X. Gao, B. Kong, and R. D. Vigil*, Multiphysics simulation of algal growth in an airlift photobioreactor: Effects of fluid mixing and shear stress, Bioresource Technology, 251, 75-83 (2018). doi:10.1016/biortech.2017.12.014
P. Rudnicki, X. Gao, B. Kong, and R. D. Vigil*, A comparative study of photosynthetic unit models for algal growth rate and fluorescence prediction under light/dark cycles, Algal Research, 24, 227-236 (2017). doi:10.1016/j.algal.2017.03.028
X. Gao, B. Kong, and R. D. Vigil*, Comprehensive computational model for combining fluid hydrodynamics, light transport and biomass growth in a Taylor vortex algal photobioreactor: Eulerian approach, Algal Research, 24, 1-8 (2017). doi:10.1016/j.algal.2017.03.009
M. Ramezani, M. Legg, A. Haghighat, Z. Li, R. D. Vigil, and M.G. Olsen*, Experimental investigation of the effect of ethyl alcohol surfactant on oxygen mass transfer and bubble size distribution in an air-water multiphase Taylor-Couette vortex bioreactor, Chemical Engineering Journal, 319, 288-296 (2017). doi:10.1016/j.cej.2017.03.005
X. Gao, B. Kong, and R. D. Vigil*, Comprehensive computational model for combining fluid hydrodynamics, light transport and biomass growth in a Taylor vortex algal photobioreactor: Lagrangian approach, Bioresource Technology, 224, 523-530 (2017). doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2016.10.080
X. Gao*, B. Kong, and R. D. Vigil, CFD Simulation of bubbly turbulent Taylor-Couette flow, Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 24, 719-727 (2016). doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2016.01.013
X. Gao, B. Kong, and R. D. Vigil*, Characteristic time scales of mixing, mass transfer, and biomass growth in a Taylor vortex algal photobioreactor, Bioresource Technology, 198, 283-291(2015). doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2015.09.013
X. Gao, B. Kong, M. Ramezani, M. G. Olsen, and R. D. Vigil*, An adaptive model for gas-liquid mass transfer in a Taylor vortex reactor, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 91, 433-445 (2015). doi:10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2015.07.125
M. Ramezani, B. Kong, X. Gao, M. G. Olsen, and R. D. Vigil*, Experimental measurement of oxygen mass transfer and bubble size distribution in an air-water multiphase Taylor-Couette vortex reactor, Chemical Engineering Journal, 279, 286-296 (2015). doi:10.1016/j.cej.2015.05.007
X. Gao, B. Kong, and R. D. Vigil*, CFD investigation of bubble effects on Taylor-Couette flow patterns in the weakly turbulent vortex regime, Chemical Engineering Journal, 270, 508-518 (2015). doi:10.1016/j.cej.2015.02.061
B. Kong and R. D. Vigil*, Simulation of photosynthetically active radiation distribution in algal photobioreactors using a multidimensional spectral radiation model. Bioresource Technology, 158, 141-148 (2014). doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2014.01.052
B. Kong and R. D. Vigil*, Light-limited continuous culture of Chlorella vulgaris in a Taylor vortex reactor. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 32, 884-890 (2013). doi: 10.1002/ep.11834
B. Kong, J. Shanks, and R.D. Vigil*, Enhanced algal growth rate in a Taylor vortex reactor. Biotechnology & Bioengineering, 11, 2140-2149 (2013). doi:10.1002/bit.24886
I. Beresnev*, W. Gaul, and R.D. Vigil, Direct pore-level observation of permeability increase by seismic waves. Geophysical Review Letters, 38, L21812 (2011). doi:10.1029/2011GL049481
I. Beresnev*, W. Gaul, and R. D. Vigil, Thickness of residual wetting film in liquid-liquid displacement. Physical Review E, 84, 026327 (2011). doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.84.026327
I. Beresnev*, W. Gaul, and R. D. Vigil, Forced instability of core-annular flow in capillary constrictions. Physics of Fluids, 23, 072105 (2011). doi: 10.1063/1.3607472
G. Pranami, M. H. Lamm, and R. D. Vigil*, Molecular dynamics simulations of fractal aggregate diffusion. Physical Review E, 82, 051402 (2010). doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.82.051402
J. C. Cheng, R. D. Vigil, and R. O. Fox*, A competitive aggregation model for flash nanoprecipitation. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 351, 330-342 (2010).
I. A. Beresnev*, W. Li, and R. D. Vigil, Condition for breakup of non-wetting fluids in sinusoidally constricted capillary channels. Transport in Porous Media, 80, 581-604 (2009).
R. D. Vigil*, On equilibrium solutions of aggregation-fragmentation problems. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 336, 642-647 (2009). doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2009.04.061
T. Mokhtari, A. Chakrabarti, C. M. Sorensen*, C. Cheng, and D. Vigil, The effect of shear on colloidal aggregation and gelation studied using small-angle light scattering. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 327, 216-223 (2008). doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2008.08.017
S. Markutsya, S. Subramaniam, R. D. Vigil*, and R. O. Fox, On Brownian dynamics simulation of nanoparticle aggregation. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 47, 3338-3345 (2008).
R. D. Vigil*, I. Vermeersch, and R. O. Fox, Destructive aggregation: Aggregation with collision-induced breakage. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 302, 149-158 (2006).
I. A. Beresnev*, R. D. Vigil, W. Li, W. D. Pennington, R. D. Turpening, P. P. Iassonov, and R. P. Ewing, Elastic waves push organic fluids from reservoir rock. Geophysical Research Letters, 32, p. L13303 (2005).
L. Wang, M. D. Olsen, and R. D. Vigil*, Reappearance of azimuthal waves in turbulent Taylor-Couette flow at large aspect ratio. Chemical Engineering Science, 60, 5555-5568 (2005).
W. Li, R. D. Vigil*, I. A. Beresnev, P. Iassonov, and R. Ewing, Vibration-induced mobilization of trapped oil ganglia in porous media: Experimental validation of a capillary physics mechanism. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 289, 193-199 (2005).
L. Wang, R. D. Vigil, and R. O. Fox*, CFD simulation of shear-induced aggregation and breakage in turbulent Taylor-Couette flow. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 285, 167-178 (2005).
L. Wang, D. L. Marchisio, R. D. Vigil, and R. O. Fox*, CFD simulation of aggregation and breakage processes in laminar Taylor-Couette flow. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 282, 380-396 (2005).
D. L. Marchisio, R. D. Vigil, and R.O. Fox*, Implementation of the quadrature method of moments in CFD codes for aggregation-breakage problems. Chemical Engineering Science, 58, 3337-3351 (2003).
D. L. Marchisio, J. T. Pikturna, R. O. Fox*, R. D. Vigil, and A. A. Barresi, Quadrature method of moments for population balance equations. American Institute of Chemical Engineers Journal, 49, 1266-1276 (2003).
D. L. Marchisio, R. D. Vigil, and R. O. Fox*, Quadrature method of moments for aggregation breakage processes. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 258, 322-334 (2003).
M. Fontenot and R. D. Vigil*, Pore-scale study of non-aqueous phase liquid dissolution in porous media using laser-induced fluorescence. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 247, 481-489 (2002).
X. Zhu and R. D. Vigil*, Banded liquid-liquid Taylor-Couette-Poiseuille flow. American Institute of Chemical Engineers Journal, 47, 1932-1940 (2001).
X. Zhu, R. J. Campero, and R. D. Vigil*, Axial mass transport in liquid-liquid Taylor-Couette-Poiseuille flow. Chemical Engineering Science, 55, 5079-5087 (2000).
N. Kumar, T. S. King, and R. D. Vigil*, A portal model for structure sensitive hydrogen adsorption on Ru-Ag/SiO2 catalysts. Chemical Engineering Science, 55, 4973-4979 (2000).
R. J. Campero and R. D. Vigil*, Flow patterns in liquid-liquid Taylor-Couette-Poiseuille flow. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 38, 1094-1098 (1999).
F. Sheikh and R. D. Vigil*, Simulation of imperfect micromixing for first-order adiabatic reactions: The coalescence-dispersion model. Chemical Engineering Science, 53, 2137-2142 (1998).
R. D. Vigil* and R. M. Ziff, On the scaling theory of two-component aggregation. Chemical Engineering Science, 53, 1725-1729 (1998).
R. J. Campero and R. D. Vigil*, Spatiotemporal patterns in liquid-liquid Taylor-Couette Poiseuille flow. Physical Review Letters, 79, 3897-3900 (1997).
R. J. Campero and R. D. Vigil*, Axial dispersion during low Reynolds number Taylor-Couette flow: Intra-vortex mixing effects. Chemical Engineering Science, 52, 3303-3310 (1997).
R. D. Vigil* and F. T. Willmore, Oscillatory dynamics in a heterogeneous surface reaction: Breakdown of the mean-field approximation. Physical Review E, 54, 1225-1231 (1996).
R. D. Vigil, Q. Ouyang, and H. L. Swinney*, Turing patterns in a simple gel reactor. Physica A, 188, 17-25 (1992).
R. D. Vigil, Q. Ouyang, and H. L. Swinney*, Spatial distribution of a short-lived intermediate species in a Couette reactor. Journal of Chemical Physics, 96, 6126-6131, (1992).
B. J. Brosilow, R. M. Ziff*, and R. D. Vigil, Random sequential adsorption of parallel squares. Physical Review A, 43, 631-638 (1991).
R. M. Ziff* and R. D. Vigil, Kinetics and fractal properties of the random sequential adsorption of line segments. Journal of Physics A, 23, 5103-5108 (1990).
R. D. Vigil and R. M. Ziff*, Kinetics of random sequential adsorption of rectangles and line segments. Journal of Chemical Physics, 93, 8270-8272 (1990).
R. D. Vigil* and R. M. Ziff, On the stability of coagulation-fragmentation population balance equations. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 133, 257-264 (1989).
R. D. Vigil and R. M. Ziff*, Random sequential adsorption of unoriented rectangles onto a plane. Journal of Chemical Physics, 91, 2599-2602 (1989).
R. D. Vigil and R. M. Ziff*, Comment on ‘Cluster-Size Evolution in a Coagulation-Fragmentation System’. Physical Review Letters, 61, 1431 (1988).
R. D. Vigil, R. M. Ziff*, and B. Lu, New universality class for gelation in a system with particle breakup. Physical Review B, 38, 942-945 (1988).
Primary Strategic Research Area
Advanced Materials & Manufacturing