Title: CFD-DEM simulation of fluid suspended particle response behaviour subject to transverse acoustic standing fields

Authors: Mihajlo Dabic; David A. Deglon; Chris J. Meyer

Addresses: Centre for Research in Computational and Applied Mechanics, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, Cape Town, South Africa ' Centre for Minerals Research, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, Cape Town, South Africa ' Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7613, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Abstract: The aim of the study was to develop a self-contained computational CFD-DEM model incorporating an additional acoustic force, using open source parallel codes, OpenFOAM®, LIGGGHTS and CFDEMcoupling. The model was tested by simulating fluid transported particle deflection phenomena due to acoustically induced forces. Particles were inserted in bulk flow, near the bottom inlet of a relatively large scale vertically orientated duct and carried through at various flow rates to near the top outlet, whilst being continuously subjected to a standing acoustic wave field which forced particles to periodic planes of low pressure along the cross section. Flow was modelled using RANS momentum equations and a k-ε turbulence model. Simulations were qualitatively validated by varying relevant parameters as well as correlating particle vertical travel distances to transverse deflections. The model confirmed deflection, simulated all functional dependencies as expected and serves henceforth as a foundation upon which further complexity can be built.

Keywords: discrete element modelling; DEM; computational fluid dynamics; CFD; coupled simulation; CFDEMcoupling; LAMMPS; granular heat transfer; simulation; LIGGGHTS; open source parallel codes; OpenFOAM; acoustic force; standing wave field; Reynolds averaged Navier Stokes; RANS momentum equations; separation; particle deflection; fluid transport; suspended particle response; flow rates; fluid flow; turbulence modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/PCFD.2016.074223

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal, 2016 Vol.16 No.1, pp.1 - 13

Published online: 19 Jan 2016 *

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