Large eddy simulation of turbulent pulp flow in a channel

Abstract

Large eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent flow of concentrated fiber suspension or pulp is carried out to investigate the flow and turbulence structures in a channel. The simulations are carried out for the turbulent flow of Eucalyptus pulp suspension using OpenFOAM for three fiber concentrations (c = 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5) and six different Reynolds numbers (6 ≤Res≤ 16,600). It is observed that the variation in flow regime is similar in the two lower fiber concentrations while the flow regime is highly affected by fiber concentration for c = 2.5. Visualizations of vortical structures for different Reynolds numbers and fiber concentrations are used to investigate different flow regimes. Variation of apparent viscosity with Reynolds number and fiber concentration is also presented to show its effect on the turbulent properties of fiber suspension flow. It is shown that the deviation of turbulent velocity profile from that of a Newtonian flow increases with an increase in Reynolds number and fiber concentration. Also, the extend of buffer layer increases at higher Re. Using the calculated turbulent velocity profile, the values of constant in logarithmic velocity profile is proposed for fiber suspension. Finally, a discussion is presented on the variation of turbulent intensities and Reynolds stress with Reynolds number and fiber concentration.