Anisotropic turbulent flow model effect on the prediction of the erosion rate of the micro particulate flow in the elbow

Abstract

Turbulent particle flow is modeled using CFD to predict the erosion rate in the pipe. Anisotropic turbulence of the Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) is used in modeling turbulent fluid (natural gas) and particle (sand) flow through the Eulerian-Lagrangian equations. Since RSM can simulate the effects of anisotropy and flow history, it can better predict the behavior of particles that are dependent on the fluid flow. Also, the particle path line and their effect on erosion have been investigated at the all erosion models studied in this study. The results show that using RSM with the Tabakoff erosion model can predict maximum erosion with an error of less than 5% in the range of 47–49 degrees of elbow bend. However, other turbulence models, such as k-epsilon, are capable of delivering results with an error of more than 50% in the range of 45–49 degrees of elbow bend. Further, RSM can well simulate secondary flows, such as near-wall recirculation and dean flow.