Lee D. Rhyne

Eulerian-Eulerian CFD Model for the Sedimentation of Spherical Particles in Suspension with High Particle Concentrations

Abstract A computational study of the process of sedimentation of spherical particles in suspensions with high particle concentrations has been performed with the two-fluid Eulerian approach. The solid stress induction in the dispersed phase was modelled through modification of the suspension viscosity. Convectional flow patterns were found and studied during the simulations. The presence of these patterns, which are also observed experimentally, makes the sedimentation process dependent on the rheological behaviour of the suspension. The results of the simulation were validated with experimental results. The present paper shows that Eulerian-Eulerian simulations can account for some of the detailed processes taking place in a settling suspension of particles.

Eulerian‐Eulerian Simulation of Sedimentation of Uniformly‐sized, non‐Brownian Spheres in Viscous Fluids

A Eulerian‐Eulerian 3‐dimensional CFD‐model has been built in order to study the sedimentation process of uniformly‐sized, non‐Brownian spheres in a viscous fluid. It is shown that proper agreement with experimental data for high particle loadings strongly depends on using a correct drag force relation. Convection currents in the carrier phase were observed during simulation. They were found to present a hydraulic resistance to the solids settling. The particle interactions were implemented through a solids stress tensor dependent on the viscosity of the carrier phase and the solids local volume fraction. The completed model was validated by comparison with experimental data.