Reconstruction of 3D Porous Geometry for Coupled FEM-CFD Simulation

Porous materials can be found in numerous areas of life (e. g., applied science, material science), however, the simulation of the fluid flow and transport phenomena through porous media is a significant challenge nowadays. Numerical simulations can help to analyze and understand physical processes and different phenomena in the porous structure, as well as to determine certain parameters that are difficult or impossible to measure directly or can only be determined by expensive and time-consuming experiments. The basic condition for the numerical simulations is the 3D geometric model of the porous material sample, which is the input parameter of the simulation. For this reason, geometry reconstruction is highly critical for pore-scale analysis. This paper introduces a complex process for the preparation of the microstructure's geometry in connection with a coupled FEM-CFD two-way fluid-structure interaction simulation. Micro-CT has been successfully applied to reconstruct both the fluid and solid phases of the used porous material.

Fluid-Solid Interaction Simulation Methodology for Coriolis Flowmeter Operation Analysis

Numerical simulation is a widely used tool for Coriolis flowmeter (CFM) operation analysis. However, there is a lack of experimentally validated methodologies for the CFM simulation. Moreover, there is no consensus on suitable turbulence models and configuration simplifications. The present study intends to address these questions in a framework of a fluid-solid interaction simulation methodology by coupling the finite volume method and finite element method for fluid and solid domains, respectively. The Reynolds stresses (RSM) and eddy viscosity-based turbulence models are explored and compared for CFM simulations. The effects of different configuration simplifications are investigated. It is demonstrated that the RSM model is favorable for the CFM operation simulations. It is also shown that the configuration simplifications should not include the braces neglect or the equivalent flowmeter tube length assumption. The simulation results are validated by earlier experimental data, showing a less than 5% discrepancy. The proposed methodology will increase the confidence in CFM operation simulations and consequently provide the foundation for further studies of flowmeter usage in various fields.