Dense particle-suspension flows in which particle-particle interactions are a dominant feature encompass a diverse range of industrial and geophysical contexts, e.g., slurry pipeline, fluidized beds, debris flows, sediment transport, etc. The one-way dispersed phase model (DPM), i.e., the conventional one-way coupling Euler-Lagrange method is not suitable for dense fluid-particle flows [1]. The reason is that such commercial CFD-software does not consider the contact between the fluid, particles and wall surfaces with respect to particle inertia and material properties. Hence, two-way coupling of the Dense Dispersed Phase Model (DDPM) combined with the Discrete Element Method (DEM) has been introduced into the commercial CFD software via in-house codes. As a result, more comprehensive and robust computational models based on the DDPM-DEM method have been developed, which can accurately predict the dynamics of dense particle suspensions.
Focusing on the interaction forces between particles and the combination of discrete and continuum phases, inhaled aerosol transport and deposition in the idealized tracheobronchial airways [2] was simulated and analyzed, generating more physical insight. In addition, it allows for comparisons between different numerical methods, i.e., the classical one-way Euler-Lagrange method, two-way Euler-Lagrange method, EL-ER method [3], and the present DDPM-DEM method, considering micron- and nano-particle transport and deposition in human lungs.
DDPM-DEM Simulations of Particulate Flows in Human Tracheobronchial Airways
