On the application of an Eulerian granular model towards dilute phase pneumatic conveying

• Main Authors: Heng, Jinliang, New, Tze How, Wilson, P. A.
• Other Authors: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: Two-phase Flow; DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering; Pneumatic Conveying
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/88956; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/48338
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The present study considered the application of a multiphase model with Eulerian approach for the solids phase in dilute-phase conveying, where the results are compared against previously published experimental results based on 42 μm nominal diameter glass particles. In particular, the Favre-Averaged Drag turbulent dispersion model is studied where it is found to have greater effects on the particle concentration distribution as compared to the gas phase velocity. While certain discrepancies are observed between simulations and published experimental data, the flow characteristics are adequately captured after addressing the underlying cause of inaccuracies. Inaccuracies in the particle concentration distributions along a vertical pipe section result from the difficulty in capturing the transitional zone where the particle rope starts to disperse. On the other hand, particle diameter variations underpin the mismatches along a horizontal pipe section. Interestingly, increasing the particle diameter leads to the successful capturing of the particle concentration distribution along the horizontal pipe section. The accuracy of employing an Eulerian approach for solids phase is demonstrated, provided that effects due to the particle diameter are accounted for.