Numerical analysis of coarse particle two-phase flow in deep-sea mining vertical pipe transport with forced vibration

Abstract

Exploring the dynamics and flow characteristics of coarse particles within vertical lifting pipes is essential to ensure safe and efficient pipeline transportation. This study combines computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the discrete element method (DEM) to investigate the behavior of coarse particle solid–liquid two-phase flow in a vertical pipe utilized for deep-sea mining under forced vibration and compares it with that in stationary pipes. This study examined the effects of pipe amplitude, vibration frequency, and initial internal flow velocity separately. The amplitude values tested were 0D (static), 1D, 2D, 3D, and 4D, where D represents pipe diameter. The vibration frequencies of 0 Hz (static), 0.25 Hz, 0.5 Hz, 1 Hz, and 2 Hz were tested, respectively. Finally, initial velocities of 1 m/s, 2 m/s, 3 m/s, and 4 m/s were tested. Compared with stationary pipes, particle-induced turbulence gradually disrupts the flow field, leading to a more dispersed particle volume distribution during pipe vibration. An increase in the amplitude and vibration frequency of the pipe results in an augmentation of the pressure drop within the pipe. By comparing the results of the vibrating pipe with those of the stationary pipe, the effect of the pipe vibration gradually weakened as the initial velocity increased.