High-resolution model of complexly shaped bodies motion using an IBM-VOF-DEM coupling method

A new coupling model that focuses on the simulation of gas-liquid flow and irregular-shaped particulate flows was proposed based on the coupling of FD/IBM, VOF and DEM. A wide range of computing cases was presented for validation, including the spherical and cylindrical particle settling in fluid, where the particle Reynold's number is small, and the vortex shedding phenomenon could still be captured. Further, the simulations that the wooden blocks float upward and the cones fall into the water at a high Reynolds number were constructed. All these simulating results keep well consistent with the experiments. It turns out that the model is reliable for simulating the particulate flows as Reynold's number is up to 420,000. Besides, the model shows great strength of the solid-fluid motions capture capability, especially for the irregular-shaped objects moving trajectories at different scales from 0.00167 to 0.3 m, which is potentially helpful in industrial engineering.

Automated summary

A new coupling model, which combines FD/IBM, VOF and DEM, has been proposed for simulating gas-liquid flow and irregular-shaped particulate flows. Various computing cases were used for validation and the results showed good consistency with experimental data. The model has been proven reliable for simulating particulate flows with Reynolds numbers up to 420,000, and it demonstrates strong capability in capturing solid-fluid motions, especially for irregular-shaped objects at different scales from 0.00167 to 0.3 m, which has potential applications in industrial engineering.