Numerical simulations of gas-particle flow behavior created by low-level rotary-winged aircraft flight over particle bed

Abstract

The aerodynamics of gas-particle suspensions is simulated as an Euler-Euler two-fluid model in a revolving rotor over a particle bed. The interactions of collisions between the blade and particles and particle-particle interactions are modeled using the kinetic theory of granular flow (KTGF). The gas turbulence induced by the rotation of the rotor is modeled using the kg-eg model. The flow field of a revolving rotor is simulated using the multiple reference frame (MRF) method. The distributions of velocities, volume fractions, and gas pressure are predicted while the aircraft hovers at different altitudes. The gas pressure decreases from the hub to the tip of the blade, and it is higher at the pressure side than that at the suction side of the rotor. The turbulent kinetic energy of the gas increases toward the blade tip. The volume fraction of particles decreases as the hovering altitude increases. The simulated pressure coefficient is compared with that in experimental measurements.