Shape optimization of a bended tube minimizing particle erosion

Abstract

AbstractThe transport of gas‐solid suspensions in bended pipes can lead to erosion of the walls due to particle impact. In this context the numerical prediction of the erosion rate is usually based on an Eulerian flow description in combination with Lagrangian particle tracking, which however does not lend itself straightforwardly to the continuous adjoint approach of shape optimization. In order to find a pipe design, which is less prone to erosion, we therefore use a one‐way coupled Eulerian particle model. Upon formally computing the shape derivative of the resulting PDE‐constrained shape optimization problem, we minimize the erosion rate for a three‐dimensional tube bend under laminar flow conditions using a gradient descent method.