Discrete particle simulation of particle–fluid flow: model formulations and their applicability
Top Cited Papers
- 25 August 2010
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
- Vol. 661, 482-510
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s002211201000306x
Abstract
The approach of combining computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for continuum fluid and the discrete element method (DEM) for discrete particles has been increasingly used to study the fundamentals of coupled particle–fluid flows. Different CFD–DEM models have been used. However, the origin and the applicability of these models are not clearly understood. In this paper, the origin of different model formulations is discussed first. It shows that, in connection with the continuum approach, three sets of formulations exist in the CFD–DEM approach: an original format set I, and subsequent derivations of set II and set III, respectively, corresponding to the so-called model A and model B in the literature. A comparison and the applicability of the three models are assessed theoretically and then verified from the study of three representative particle–fluid flow systems: fluidization, pneumatic conveying and hydrocyclones. It is demonstrated that sets I and II are essentially the same, with small differences resulting from different mathematical or numerical treatments of a few terms in the original equation. Set III is however a simplified version of set I. The testing cases show that all the three models are applicable to gas fluidization and, to a large extent, pneumatic conveying. However, the application of set III is conditional, as demonstrated in the case of hydrocyclones. Strictly speaking, set III is only valid when fluid flow is steady and uniform. Set II and, in particular, set I, which is somehow forgotten in the literature, are recommended for the future CFD–DEM modelling of complex particle–fluid flow.Keywords
This publication has 39 references indexed in Scilit:
- Particle scale study of heat transfer in packed and bubbling fluidized bedsAIChE Journal, 2009
- Introduction to granular temperaturePowder Technology, 2008
- Computational Investigation of Horizontal Slug Flow in Pneumatic ConveyingIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2007
- Numerical Study of Particle−Fluid Flow in a HydrocycloneIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2007
- Assessment of Model Formulations in the Discrete Particle Simulation of Gas−Solid FlowIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2004
- Compromise and resolution — Exploring the multi-scale nature of gas–solid fluidizationPowder Technology, 2000
- Numerical simulation of the gas–solid flow in a bed with lateral gas blastingPowder Technology, 2000
- Eulerian two-phase flow theory applied to fluidizationInternational Journal of Multiphase Flow, 1996
- The voidage function for fluid-particle interaction systemsInternational Journal of Multiphase Flow, 1994
- Vertical pneumatic conveying: A theoretical study of uniform and annular particle flow modelsThe Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 1973