CFD simulation of dilute-phase pneumatic conveying of powders

A comprehensive validated numerical model simulating the pneumatic transport of fine particles through various geometries has been developed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The prediction reliability of the model was tested over a range of operational conditions, geometry layouts and parti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Powder technology 2019-05, Vol.349, p.70-83
Main Authors: Miao, Zhen, Kuang, Shibo, Zughbi, Habib, Yu, Aibing
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CFD
Computational fluid dynamics
Computer applications
Computer simulation
Conveying
Dilute-phase
Disintegration
Drag
Drag correlation
Fine particles
Fluid dynamics
Hydrodynamics
Mathematical models
Model testing
Particle size
Particle size distribution
Pneumatic conveying
Pneumatic conveyors
Reliability aspects
Simulation
Transportation
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Summary:A comprehensive validated numerical model simulating the pneumatic transport of fine particles through various geometries has been developed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The prediction reliability of the model was tested over a range of operational conditions, geometry layouts and particle size distributions (PSD). Simulation results have shown a reasonable agreement with published experimental data. The achieved results indicate that this CFD model has an extensive applicability for different geometries when an alternative recently developed drag force correlation is used. Furthermore, the effect of PSD was introduced in the validated model to gain a better understanding of particle motions during conveying. The CFD model with PSD also provided reliable results in various geometries. Numerical results reveal completely different particle size distributions in horizontal and vertical pneumatic conveying. Moreover, the formation and disintegration of particle ropes are both found to be controlled mainly by the behavior of large particles during transportation in a horizontal-bend-vertical pipeline. [Display omitted] •Dilute-phase pneumatic conveying of powders was studied using a two-fluid model.•The model was integrated with a recently developed drag correlation.•It was validated against measurements for flows in vertical and horizontal pipes and bends.•Behavior of different sized particles was characterized related to pipe geometries.
ISSN:0032-5910
1873-328X
DOI:10.1016/j.powtec.2019.03.031