Numerical Simulation of Particle-Laden Coaxial Turbulent Jets

Abstract

In this study, the near flow field characteristics of particle-laden coaxial jets are numerically investigated at three outer to inner mean velocity ratios of 1.11, 0.48, and 0.18. Three-dimensional, steady, incompressible, turbulent flow RANS simulations are carried out to this effect. The single-phase predictions are compared with the available experimental data to validate the numerical approach. Later, two phase simulations are carried out by adding discrete particles, glass beads of 240 microns, to the continuous phase. The flow field details and the turbulent characteristics of the particle-laden coaxial jets are investigated at two mass loading ratios of 0.074% and 0.22%. The predictions of the mean axial velocity and axial turbulent intensity, correlation coefficient, vorticity, and dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy are compared between the single-phase and two-phase flows to highlight the influence of discrete particles on the fluid phase. This work also shows a good agreement between the RANS calculations and experimental data, when a proper turbulence model is adopted. The results demonstrate the importance of velocity ratio on the flow field development and turbulent characteristics of coaxial jets. The results show that the influence of discrete particles on the continuous phase flow field is marginal at the mass loadings studied in this work.