Development of a Computational Fluid Dynamics Model for Predicting Fouling Process Using Dynamic Mesh Model

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive computational model capable of simulating fouling layer thickness evolution using dynamic mesh model. This computational methodology has been developed to reproduce the deposit generation during fouling process with an innovated work method. Dynamic mesh model, from Ansys Fluent software, and external routines have been used to implement this advanced numerical model which allows to move the boundaries of a region relative to other boundaries of the zone. The displacement of the nodes of the mesh is the mechanism that this model uses to adjust the geometry according to the fouling layer evolution. During the simulation process, the geometry under investigation is modified to reproduce the emergence and gradual change of the fouling layer. Different rules of deposition and removal of the fouling process can be implemented in the proposed algorithm. The direct interaction between fouling expressions and governing equations of the main flow is used to predict deposits formation and growth. In this article, numerical simulations of soot fouling layer formation have been presented. Deposit evolution has been calculated inside different heat exchanger technologies used in exhaust gas recirculation systems to analyze fouling process and to verify the advantages of this new computational strategy.