Statistical analysis of flow velocity field inside random packed beds

Abstract

Immersed boundary method is used for simulation of fluid flow through random packed beds of various particles (cylinders and rings) obtained in a separate numerical simulation of the packing process. Due to complexities of the random packing structure the flow velocity is also highly complex despite the laminar regime. The statistical characteristics of the flow field are examined in detail and compared between various packings - not only probability distribution of flow velocity but also novel statistical measures that provide useful information about the flow applicable to simplified models of flow in similar structures. The measures are based on the statistics of the flow deflection angle i.e. the angle between the local flow velocity vector and the inlet velocity direction. The proposed two-dimensional map allows for assessment of the probability distribution of the flow deflection angle for different values of the velocity magnitude.