CFD study of drag and lift coefficients of non-spherical particles

Abstract

The prediction of correct drag and lift forces acting on immersed bodies is vital for optimized efficiency and industrial economics. Particulate suspensions involving non-spherical particles are extensively used in the chemical and medical industry. In recent years, the hydrodynamics of non-spherical particles have attracted much attention. The hydrodynamic forces acting on these particles are the function of particle size, shape, orientation, and the physical properties of fluid. In the current research, the drag and lift coefficient of non-spherical particles of disc and prolate shapes at different inclination angles and Reynolds number (Re) is calculated using the simplified Eulerian approach of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The method adopted for simulation is first validated for a simple case of sphere. The effect of orientation and Re on drag and lift coefficient (CD and CL, respectively) is studied and compared with the available data. It is found that CD and CL increase as the angle of inclination increases, but decrease with Re. CD and CL are smaller for prolate at given Re and orientation than for the case of disc. The effects of finite size geometry cause some deviation in results from the literature. The results obtained with this simple and less computationally intensive method agree well with highly resolved numerical simulations with minor deviations.