Simulation of the solid particles behavior in 3D stirred tank using CFD-DEM coupling approach

Abstract

The computational fluid dynamics-discrete element coupling method is used to simulate the suspension behavior of solid particles in a stirred tank, and the motion trajectories and collision motions of millions of particles are analyzed. These particles have complex interactions with the liquid and the rotating impeller. In this article, we introduce a slip grid method, which is an important method to realize the CFD-DEM coupling. We discuss the influence of liquid flow on the trajectory of solid particles, and analyze the relationship between the eight physical properties of solid particles. It can be concluded that the CFD-DEM coupled approach provides a theoretical way to understand the physics of particle movement in micro- to macro-scales in the solid suspension of a stirred tank.