CFD Simulation of Fine Particle Gravity Separation in Hindered-settling Bed Separators

Abstract

In the modeling of hindered-settling bed separators, the published separation mechanisms are based on differences of particle density and size distributions, without the details of the complexity of particles-liquid interactions. A fluid dynamic model for the separator is developed using the Euler-Lagrangian approach of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Fluid motion is obtained from solving the movement of liquid governing equations. The damping effect on flow patterns caused by the movement of particles resulting in liquid-particle coupling is included in the models. Effects of particle size, particle density compositions, feed rate, feed water flow rate, and upward fluidizing water flow rate, etc., are simulated in the 2-D separation model. Flow pattern effects on the separation of fine particles in the separators with center downward-flow and side cross-flow feed systems are investigated.