Comparison of solid particle erosion predictions using the dense discrete phase and discrete element models

Abstract

A numerical procedure involving the dense discrete phase model (DDPM) is used to calculate solid particle erosion. DDPM works in two mechanisms. First, the discrete particles are treated as a pseudofluid, and the interaction among particles is evaluated by solving the governing equations of the pseudofluid. Second, the equivalent pressure of the pseudofluid is applied to a single particle to reflect the blocking effect of high-concentration particles. The numerical procedure is well verified by comparison with the experimental data picked from a direct impact test. In addition, the DDPM predictions are compared with the discrete element model (DEM) predictions in detail. Both methods show that the predicted mass loss caused by sand per unit mass decreases with an increase in sand concentration. DDPM indirectly considers the influence of particle interactions on solid particle erosion, and the predicted erosion contours are more uniform and smoother than the DEM-predicted contours.