Title: Multi-size particulate flow in horizontal ducts: modelling and validation

Authors: Krishnan V. Pagalthivarthi, J.S. Ravichandra, S. Sanghi

Addresses: Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India. ' Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India. ' Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India

Abstract: This study develops a Galerkin Finite Element Method (GFEM) for predicting dense multi-size particulate slurry flow in two-dimensional horizontal ducts and obtains insight into particle induced erosion from the GFEM results. Computationally economical Q1Q0 finite elements are found robust for the application. Eulerian (volume-averaged) mass continuity and momentum equations are developed for the slurry mixture and solid particles. Multi-size particles are represented as a mixture of six particle-size species in varying concentrations. A concentration-modified mixing length model is used to model turbulence. Predicted numerical results agree well with published experimental results, the error being less than 4.5%.

Keywords: Galerkin finite element method; GFEM; multi-size particulate flow; duct flow; Eulerian model; volumetric concentration profile; mixture velocity profile; slurry flows; particle induced erosion; turbulence modelling; CFD; computational fluid dynamics.

DOI: 10.1504/PCFD.2005.007682

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal, 2005 Vol.5 No.8, pp.466 - 481

Published online: 01 Sep 2005 *

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