Pressure Drop Predictions in Microfibrous Materials Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravi K. Duggirala ◽  
Christopher J. Roy ◽  
S. M. Saeidi ◽  
Jay M. Khodadadi ◽  
Don R. Cahela ◽  
...  

Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations are performed for the flow of air through microfibrous materials for void fractions of 0.41 and 0.47 and face velocities ranging between 0.04ms and 1.29m∕s. The microfibrous materials consist of activated carbon powder with diameters of 137×10−6m entrapped in a matrix of cylindrical fibers with diameters of 8×10−6m. These sintered microfibrous materials are a new class of patented materials with properties that are advantageous compared to traditional packed beds or monoliths. Microfibrous materials have demonstrated enhanced heat and mass transfer compared to packed beds of particles of similar dimensions. In this paper, the simulations are used to predict the pressure drop per unit length through the materials and to analyze the details of the flow that are difficult to interrogate experimentally. Various geometric approximations are employed in order to allow the simulations to be performed in an efficient manner. The Knudsen number, defined as the ratio of the mean free path between molecular collisions to the fiber diameter, is 0.011; thus, velocity-slip boundary conditions are employed and shown to have only a minor effect on the pressure drop predictions. Significant effort is made to estimate numerical errors associated with the discretization process, and these errors are shown to be negligible (less than 3%). The computational predictions for pressure drop are compared to available experimental data as well as to two theory-based correlations: Ergun’s equation and the porous media permeability equation. The agreement between the simulations and the experiments is within 30% and is reasonable considering the significant geometric approximations employed. The errors in the simulations and correlations with respect to experimental data exhibit the same trend with face velocity for both void fractions. This consistent trend suggests the presence of experimental bias errors that correlate with the face velocity. The simulations generally underpredict the experimental pressure drop for the low void fraction case and overpredict the experimental pressure drop for the high void fraction case.

Author(s):  
Xiang Zhao ◽  
Trent Montgomery ◽  
Ping Lu ◽  
Sijun Zhang

This paper presents flow simulations in packed beds by a coupled discrete element method (DEM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. The realistic packing structure in packed beds is generated by DEM. Then the packing structure is imported into the CFD preprocessor to generate a mesh for flow simulations in packed beds. The subsequent CFD simulations are carried out. The predicted results reveal that not only the local behavior but also macroscopic quantities like the pressure drop depend remarkably on the local packing structural parameters, which is unable to be taken into account when using correlations with averaged values.


SIMULATION ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-42
Author(s):  
Vikash Kumar ◽  
Kailash Jha

This study investigates the effect of convergent–divergent vortex finders on the performance of cyclone separators, which is measured in terms of pressure drop and collection efficiency. Six cyclone models (two with uniform diameter and four with convergent–divergent vortex finders) were numerically simulated. The numerical simulations have been carried out using the commercial computational fluid dynamics code (CFD) Fluent v15. The simulation procedure has been validated using experimental data from the published literature where a good agreement between the numerical results and the experimental data is seen. A grid independence test has been carried out by using two levels of grids for correctness of our simulation. The Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) and continuity equations have been solved for the flow simulation. The Reynolds stress model is used for modeling the stress tensor and closing the RANS equations. The results show that a convergent–divergent vortex finder is capable of producing better performance (pressure drop and collection efficiency) than the uniform diameter cyclones. Only one performance parameter can be improved in uniform diameter cyclones. In comparison to the standard uniform vortex finder cyclones, the convergent–divergent vortex finder improves the pressure drop by 6% and also reduces the cut-size to 1.4 from 1.6 µm. It is further seen that decreasing the throat area or increasing only the lower diameter of the vortex finder causes the performance to degrade. This study proves that convergent–divergent instead of uniform diameter vortex finders can be used in gas cyclones for obtaining a better performance with the same geometry.


1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. G. Travers ◽  
W. M. Worek

The laminar flow field in a planar, ninety degree bifurcation is examined. This numerical study uses the computational-fluid-dynamics software Fluent Version 4.11. First, the velocity field in a bifurcation without a protruding branching duct is modeled, and the results are successfully compared to experimental data. Next, the flow field is studied in bifurcations that have branching ducts that protrude into the main duct. The velocity field and pressure drop are documented, and are found to be strongly influenced by the extent of the branching duct protrusion.


2010 ◽  
Vol 660-661 ◽  
pp. 158-163
Author(s):  
M.Ramirez Valverde ◽  
José Renato Coury ◽  
José Antônio Silveira Gonçalves

In recent years, many computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies have appeared attempting to predict cyclone pressure drop and collection efficiency. While these studies have been able to predict pressure drop well, they have been only moderately successful in predicting collection efficiency. Part of the reason for this failure has been attributed to the relatively simple wall boundary conditions implemented in the commercially available CFD software, which are not capable of accurately describing the complex particle-wall interaction present in a cyclone. According, researches have proposed a number of different boundary conditions in order to improve the model performance. This work implemented the critical velocity boundary condition through a user defined function (UDF) in the Fluent software and compared its predictions both with experimental data and with the predictions obtained when using Fluent’s built-in boundary conditions. Experimental data was obtained from eight laboratory scale cyclones with varying geometric ratios. The CFD simulations were made using the software Fluent 6.3.26.


Author(s):  
Shofique Uddin Ahmed ◽  
Rajesh Arora ◽  
Om Parkash

Over the decades conveying solid particles through pipelines is a prevalent usage for many industries like food industries, pharmaceutical, oil and gas-solid handling, power generations etc. In the present study, slurry flow through 54.9 mm diameter and 4 m long horizontal pipe with solid particle diameter 0.125 mm and specific gravity 2.47 has been numerically analysed using a granular version of Eulerian two-phase model and RNG K-  model. The solid particles are considered as mono-dispersed in the Eulerian model. These models are available in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) fluent software package. Non-uniform structured three-dimensional mesh with a refinement near wall boundary region has been selected for discretising the flow domain, and governing equations are solved using control volume finite difference method. Simulations are conducted at velocity varying from 1 m/s to 5 m/s and efflux concentration varying from 0.1 to 0.5 by volume. Different slurry flow parameters such as solid concentration distribution, velocity distribution, pressure drop etc. have been analysed from the simulated results. The simulated results of pressure drop are correlated with the experimental data available in previous literature and are found to be in excellent compliance with the experimental data.


2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Otaru ◽  
A. R. Kennedy

This study uses novel methods, combining discrete element method (DEM) simulations for packing and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of fluid flow, to simulate the pressure drop across rigid, randomly packed beds of spheres ranging from 1 to 3 mm in diameter, with porosities between 0.34 and 0.45. This modeling approach enables the combined effect of void fraction and particle size to be studied in more depth than that has been previously possible and is used to give insight into the ability of the well-established Ergun equation to predict the pressure drop behavior. The resulting predictions for pressure drop as a function of superficial velocity were processed to yield coefficients α and β in the Ergun equation and were found to be in keeping with equivalent data in the literature. Although the scatter in α with structural variations was very small, the scatter in β was large (±20%), leading to inaccuracies when used to predict pressure drop data at velocities beyond the Darcy regime. Evaluation of the packed particle structures showed that regions of poor packing, in samples with high porosity and large particle sizes, lead to lower β values. The findings bring strong support to the belief that a generalized model, such as that by Ergun, cannot yield a unique value for β, even for identical spheres.


Author(s):  
Paulo Roberto Campos Castro Filho ◽  
Aderjane Ferreira Lacerda ◽  
Reimar de Oliveira Lourenço

Objetiva-se avaliar o comportamento fluidodinâmico de ciclones através do uso de técnicas numéricas utilizadas em CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). Utilizou-se como variáveis de entrada dados experimentais conhecidos. Adotou-se os seguintes modelos de turbulência para compará-los entre si:modelo k-ε; modelo RSM (Reynolds Stress Model). O fluido utilizado nas simulações foi o ar e as partículas adicionadas foram de carbonato de cálcio (CaCo3). Os parâmetros estudados foram queda de pressão,  perfis de velocidade e a eficiência de coleta do ciclone. O modelo de turbulência adotado que apresentou melhores resultados foi o RSM. A queda de pressão para o RSM foi da ordem 868,6 Pa e para o k-ɛ de 758 Pa, para o modelo misto (k-ɛ/ RSM) de 836 Pa e para os resultados experimentais realizados por Patterson e Munz de 1100 Pa. Os perfis de distribuição de velocidade (tangencial, axial e radial) e de pressão apresentaram boa concordância com os dados da literatura, maiores velocidades encontram-se entre a parede do equipamento e seu eixo de simetria. Para os perfis de pressão, eles apresentaram maiores pressões nas paredes e menores próximas ao eixo. Utilizou-se o modelo de distribuição de Rosin- Rammler para avaliar a eficiência de coleta do ciclone, observando-se que, para partículas de diâmetro superior ao Diâmetro de Corte das Partículas (dpc) do equipamento, a eficiência tende a ser superior a 50%, aumentando à medida que estes aumentam, e para diâmetros inferiores, inferior a 50%. A utilização das técnicas de CFD para caracterização do escoamento gasoso em ciclones permitiu obter resultados bastante coerentes quando comparados com dados experimentais da literatura.Palavras-chave: Ciclones. Separação gás-sólido. CFD.STUDY OF CYCLONE FLUID DYNAMIC BEHAVIORAbstract: The objective is to evaluate the fluid dynamic behavior of cyclones through the use of numerical techniques used in CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). It is used as input variables known experimental data. We adopted the following turbulence models to compare them to each other: k-ε model; model RSM (Reynolds Stress Model). The fluid used in the simulations was the air and the particles added were calcium carbonate (CaCo3). The parameters studied were pressure drop, velocity profiles and the collection efficiency of the cyclone. The turbulence model adopted that showed the best results was the RSM. The pressure drop for the RSM was approximately 868.6 Pa and the k-ɛ of 758 Pa for the mixed model (k-ɛ / RSM) to 836 Pa and the experimental results performed by Patterson and Munz 1100 Pa. distribution profiles of velocity (tangential, axial and radial) and pressure were in good agreement with the literature data, higher speeds lying between the wall of the equipment and the symmetry axis thereof, the pressure profiles for the they showed higher pressures and lower walls near the axis. We used the model Rosin-Rammler distribution to evaluate the collection efficiency of the cyclone, observing that for particles of diameter greater than the cutting diameter (dpc) equipment efficiency tends to be higher than 50%, increasing as these increases, and smaller diameters of less than 50%. In general, the use of CFD techniques for characterizing the gas flow in cyclone yielded fairly consistent results when compared to experimental data in the literature.Keywords: Cyclones. Gas-solid separation. CFD.ESTUDIO DEL COMPORTAMIENTO FLUIDODINÁMICO DE LOS CICLONESResumen: El objetivo es evaluar el comportamiento dinámico de fluido de los ciclones a través del uso de técnicas numéricas utilizadas en CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). Se utiliza como variables de entrada los datos experimentales conocidos. Hemos adoptado los siguientes modelos de turbulencia para compararlos entre sí: k-ε modelo, modelo RSM (Modelo Reynolds Stress). El fluido utilizado en las simulaciones era el aire y las partículas añadidas fueron de carbonato de calcio (CaCo3). Los parámetros estudiados fueron la caída de presión, velocidad y perfiles de la eficiencia de recogida del ciclón. El modelo de turbulencia adoptado, y que mostró los mejores resultados fue la RSM. La caída de presión para el RSM fue de aproximadamente 868,6 Pay el k-ɛ de 758 Pa para el modelo mixto (k-ɛ / RSM) a 836 Pa y los resultados experimentales realizados por Patterson y Munz 1100 Pa. Los perfiles de distribución de velocidad (tangencial, radial y axial) y la presión estuvieron en buen acuerdo con los datos de la literatura, velocidades más altas situadas entre la pared del equipo y el eje de simetría de los mismos, los perfiles de presión para la mostraron altas presiones y bajas paredes cerca del eje. Se utilizó el modelo de distribución de Rosin-Rammler para evaluar la eficacia de recogida del ciclón, la observación de que para las partículas de diámetro mayor que el diámetro de corte (dpc) la eficiencia del equipo tiende a ser mayor que 50%, aumentando también cuando ellos aumentan y para diámetros más pequeños, de menos de 50%. En general, el uso de técnicas de CFD para la caracterización del flujo de gas en el ciclón dió resultados bastante consistentes cuando se compara con los datos experimentales en la literatura.Palabras clave: Ciclones. Separación gas-sólido. CFD.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 2041
Author(s):  
Eva C. Silva ◽  
Álvaro M. Sampaio ◽  
António J. Pontes

This study shows the performance of heat sinks (HS) with different designs under forced convection, varying geometric and boundary parameters, via computational fluid dynamics simulations. Initially, a complete and detailed analysis of the thermal performance of various conventional HS designs was taken. Afterwards, HS designs were modified following some additive manufacturing approaches. The HS performance was compared by measuring their temperatures and pressure drop after 15 s. Smaller diameters/thicknesses and larger fins/pins spacing provided better results. For fins HS, the use of radial fins, with an inverted trapezoidal shape and with larger holes was advantageous. Regarding pins HS, the best option contemplated circular pins in combination with frontal holes in their structure. Additionally, lattice HS, only possible to be produced by additive manufacturing, was also studied. Lower temperatures were obtained with a hexagon unit cell. Lastly, a comparison between the best HS in each category showed a lower thermal resistance for lattice HS. Despite the increase of at least 38% in pressure drop, a consequence of its frontal area, the temperature was 26% and 56% lower when compared to conventional pins and fins HS, respectively, and 9% and 28% lower when compared to the best pins and best fins of this study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2059 (1) ◽  
pp. 012003
Author(s):  
A Burmistrov ◽  
A Raykov ◽  
S Salikeev ◽  
E Kapustin

Abstract Numerical mathematical models of non-contact oil free scroll, Roots and screw vacuum pumps are developed. Modelling was carried out with the help of software CFD ANSYS-CFX and program TwinMesh for dynamic meshing. Pumping characteristics of non-contact pumps in viscous flow with the help of SST-turbulence model were calculated for varying rotors profiles, clearances, and rotating speeds. Comparison with experimental data verified adequacy of developed CFD models.


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