A resolved CFD-DEM coupling model for modeling two-phase fluids interaction with irregularly shaped particles

Abstract

In this paper, we develop a resolved coupling model to simulate interaction between two-phase fluids and irregularly shaped particles by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Discrete Element Method (DEM). The Volume of Fluid (VoF) method is introduced to solve two-phase fluids, and irregularly shaped particles are represented by multi-sphere clumps in DEM. The resolved CFD-DEM coupling approach calculates meso-scale flow around particles, and an integration scheme is proposed to directly calculate the fluid forces on multi-sphere particles without resorting to empirical drag force models. A number of benchmark cases are conducted, including a single particle settling in a two-phase fluid, settling of two particles, disk-shaped particles and irregularly shaped particles. The numerical simulations compare well with experimental works and previous studies, showing the accuracy of this model. Finally, a case study of dambreak wave impact on a rock pile demonstrates great potential to apply this model in coastal engineering.