Coupled simulation of the spherical angles of rigid fibres by using a fibre orientation probability distribution model

• Published in: International journal of multiphase flow 2014-10, Vol.65, p.61-67
• Main Authors: Sattari, Mahdieh, Tuomela, Jukka, Niskanen, Heidi, Hämäläinen, Jari
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Fibre orientation probability distribution; Multi-phase flows; Numerical simulation; Paper and paperboard manufacturing; Paper, paperboard, non wovens; Paper-making industry; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Rigid fibres; Spherical angles; Wood. Paper. Non wovens
• ISSN: 0301-9322; 1879-3533
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2014.06.002

•Fibre orientation distribution is solved numerically in three dimensions.•Simulations are done for two different channels and accelerations.•The results are validated with the experiments in the straight-wall channel.•Applications in papermaking to optimise fibrous structure of the paper. We study numerically orientation of rigid fibres in a turbulent flow. Instead of a Lagrangian approach, i.e. following fibres along trajectories and analyzing orientations after simulations, we are using a fibre orientation probability distribution (FOPD) model. The mathematical model predicting the two spherical orientation angles (in a three-dimensional computational domain) is presented and solved in a coupled manner, which is the novelty of our approach. Furthermore, numerical predictions are validated with experiments. The origin of the problem is in the papermaking industry, that is, distributing and orienting fibres optimally into a paper sheet produced.