Airslide flows. Part 2—Flow modeling and comparison with experiments

Abstract

This study is a sequel to the paper of Savage and Oger ( this issue) that reviewed experimental studies of airslides. These devices make use of fluidization to facilitate the transport of granular materials over long distances. The present paper describes a detailed and comprehensive consideration of the various contributions to the governing multiphase flow equations and proceeds to carry out numerical simulations of airslide flows and compare the results with laboratory experiments. It was carried out in part using the open source multiphase flow CFD program MFIX. Revisions and additions to the governing equations used in the distribution version of MFIX were made. The results of previously published molecular dynamics simulations were used to formulate a revised radial distribution function. The forms of the quasi-static stress contributions were designed to permit the development of higher concentration flows typical of experimentally observed airslide flows. Finally, additional terms were included in the particle fluctuation energy equation to account for (i) the viscous dissipation of the fluctuating particles due to the interstitial air, and (ii) the energy source term arising from the transfer of energy from the fluid to the particles. These expressions have been incorporated in the computational scheme and simulations of fluidized granular flows in a rectangular channel having frictional side walls were carried out. Some initial exploratory calculations were performed to examine the effects of various parameters on the mass flow rates and the velocity profiles. Different wall conditions were studied by varying the particle and wall restitution coefficients. The effects of varying the minimum fluidization velocity and the solid fraction thresholds were also examined. The simulation scheme was then applied to model two of the better documented fluidized chute flow experiments; those of Botterill and Bessant (1976), and the McGill University fluidized solids flow channel experiments of Liot (1979) and Chan (1979). Results of these computations and comparisons with observed experimental airslide behavior are discussed. Good agreement is found between the simulations and the experimental airslide flow characteristics.