Research Publications

Peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings in computational fluid dynamics, multiphase flows, and machine learning applications

Journal Articles

01

Numerical study of bouncing Leidenfrost viscoplastic drops

P. Kumar, S. Sarkar, and S. K. Saha

Physics of Fluids, 2026

Research Highlights:

  • Investigates rebound dynamics of non-Newtonian droplets on Leidenfrost-heated surfaces.
  • Implemented a custom VOF solver in OpenFOAM to capture complex interfacial phenomena.
  • Characterizes the interplay between vapour generation, surface tension, and viscoplasticity.
  • Identifies dimple formation and collapse mechanisms during high-temperature impact.
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Leidenfrost Droplet Animation
Primary Visualization: Bouncing Droplet
Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4
02

Pressure Drop and Interfacial Heat Transfer Coefficient Formulation for Packed Bed Systems

A. Kumar, P. Kumar, and S. K. Saha

Transport in Porous Media, 2025

Research Highlights:

  • Developed comprehensive correlations for pressure drop and heat transfer in cylindrical packed beds.
  • Validated formulations for thermal energy storage and chemical processing systems.
  • Optimized heat exchanger designs through rigorous hydro-thermal characterization.
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Packed Bed Formulation
Packed Bed Hydro-Thermal Analysis
03

Explaining Advaitavedānta through Computational Models of Non-Duality

Pragya, D. M. Joshi, and P. Kumar

International Journal of Recent Development in Engineering and Technology, 2025

An interdisciplinary exploration bridging ancient Indian philosophical concepts with modern computational modeling techniques. This work demonstrates how computational frameworks can represent and analyze non-dualistic philosophical systems, opening new avenues for digital humanities research.

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04

Development of Scaling Laws for Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer Analysis of Packed Beds

P. Kumar, S. K. Saha, and A. Sharma

Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2024

Research Highlights:

  • Front Cover Selection, May 2024.
  • Established scaling laws for relating small-scale models to large-scale prototypes.
  • Developed a custom OpenFOAM library for handling local variations in porosity.
  • Validated across rectangular and cylindrical packed bed configurations.
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Scaling Law Visualization
Primary Visualization: Scaling Law Formulation
Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5
05

Experimental and CFD-DEM Study on Local Packing Distribution of Binary Packed Bed

P. Kumar, S. K. Saha, and A. Sharma

Chemical Engineering Science, Vol. 282, 2023

Research Highlights:

  • Combined experimental measurements with high-fidelity CFD-DEM simulations.
  • Investigated the effects of size ratio on binary packing distribution and thermofluidics.
  • Provided crucial insights for optimizing nuclear and chemical reactor designs.
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CFD-DEM Simulation
Primary Visualization: Binary Packing
Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5
06

Comparative Study of Surface Roughness Models in the Hydro-Thermal Characterization of Flow over Rough Walls

S. K. Samal, P. Kumar, and S. K. Saha

Physics of Fluids, Vol. 35, p. 095106, 2023

This work systematically evaluates different surface roughness modeling approaches for predicting fluid flow and heat transfer over rough surfaces. The comparative analysis provides guidelines for selecting appropriate roughness models in CFD simulations of industrial applications ranging from heat exchangers to aerodynamic surfaces.

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07

Entropy Generation Minimization-Based Heat Transfer and Mass Transfer Study of Rectangular Packed-Bed Filled with Spherical Particles

P. Kumar, S. K. Saha, and A. Sharma

Fusion Engineering and Design, Vol. 184, p. 113295, 2022

Application of Entropy Generation Minimization (EGM) principle to optimize the thermal-hydraulic performance of packed beds relevant to fusion reactor blanket designs. The study identifies optimal operating conditions that minimize thermodynamic irreversibilities while maximizing heat extraction efficiency in ITER Test Blanket Modules.

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08

CFD Investigation of Helium Gas Flow in Sphere Packed Canister using OpenFOAM

P. Kumar, A. Thakur, S. K. Saha, et al.

Fusion Engineering and Design, Vol. 172, 2021

Research Highlights:

  • Detailed CFD analysis of helium coolant flow in pebble beds for fusion reactors.
  • Resolved complex flow patterns and pressure distributions using OpenFOAM.
  • Validated porous media models for ITER Test Blanket Module (TBM) analysis.
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Fusion Blanket CFD
Primary Visualization: Helium Flow Paths
Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5

Conference Proceedings

2023

Computational Analysis of Coolant Flow in Packed Bed for VHTR Design

ISHMT-ASTFE Heat and Mass Transfer Conference 2023, IIT Patna

Investigation of thermal-hydraulic characteristics using OpenFOAM for Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) applications.

2023

Scaling Law Analysis for Transient Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Packed Bed

Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Power 2023, IIT Jodhpur

Analysis of scaling laws for transient behavior in packed beds with mono-sized pebbles.

2022

Effect of Size Ratio on Permeability and Local Packing Fraction of Binary Packed Bed

Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Power 2022, IIT Roorkee

Experimental and numerical investigation of binary packed bed characteristics with varying size ratios.

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Download Publications

Leidenfrost Viscoplastic Drops (2026)

Physics of Fluids - Numerical study of bouncing Leidenfrost viscoplastic drops

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Scaling Laws for Packed Beds (2024)

Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research - Front Cover Selection

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Binary Packed Bed CFD-DEM Study (2023)

Chemical Engineering Science - Experimental and numerical analysis

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Fusion Engineering Papers

Fusion Engineering and Design - Tritium transport and packed bed analysis

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