Discrete particle simulation of particulate systems: A review of major applications and findings

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a powerful numerical tool that is becoming widely used to simulate many processes in the food industry. Recent progression in computing efficacy coupled with reduced costs of CFD software packages has advanced CFD as a viable technique to provide effective and efficient design solutions. This paper discusses the fundamentals involved in developing a CFD solution. It also provides a state-of-the-art review on various CFD applications in the food industry such as ventilation, drying, sterilisation, refrigeration, cold display and storage, and mixing and elucidates the physical models most commonly used in these applications. The challenges faced by modellers using CFD in the food industry are also discussed.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) ¿ an effective and efficient design and analysis tool for the food industry: A review

Large-scale discrete element modeling in pneumatic conveying

Process Modeling in the Pharmaceutical Industry using the Discrete Element Method

CFD-DEM modelling and simulation of pneumatic conveying: A review

Pneumatic conveying of powdered and granular materials is a very common transport technology across a broad range of industries, for example, chemicals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and power generation. As the demands of these industries for greater efficiency increases and to comply with environmental regulations there is a need for a more fundamental understanding of the behavior of materials in pneumatic conveying systems. The approach presented in this article is to develop a model of a section of pneumatic conveying line, a horizontal or vertical 90° bend, in the commercial CFD software package FLUENT and to describe the multiphase flow behavior by the mixture or Eulerian method. Models of this type have been used in the past to show qualitative and quantitative agreement between model and experiment. The model results presented were compared with experimental data gathered from an industrial-scale pneumatic conveying test system. Broad qualitative agreement in trends and flow patterns were found. Qu...

Bend Pressure Drop Predictions Using the Euler-Euler Model in Dense Phase Pneumatic Conveying

Solids deposition in the horizontal pipeline of a pneumatic conveying system was studied both mathematically and experimentally. Mathematically modelled results using the coupled discrete element method (DEM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach have demonstrated an intensive exchange of particles between the stationary layer (deposited particles) and the moving slug and a variation of solids concentration and pressure and velocity distributions across the slug. Slug flows were also visualised experimentally through a glass section and analysed by a high-speed video camera. The amount of particle deposition in the pipeline after a conveying was calculated by controlling the solids feeding rate using a rotary valve and by monitoring the solids flow out of the system using dynamic load cells. Experimentally generated data have quantitatively shown a tendency of more solids deposition with lower gas mass flow rate in slug flows except that, below a certain amount of solids mass flow rate, the deposition becomes independent of gas flow rate.

Andrew Cowell

Papers

Bend Pressure Drop Predictions Using the Euler-Euler Model in Dense Phase Pneumatic Conveying

Solids deposition in low-velocity slug flow pneumatic conveying

Solids Deposition in Low Velocity Slug Flow Pneumatic Conveying Systems

CFD investigation of dense phase pneumatic conveying at a pipeline enlargement

Determination of pneumatic transport capabilities of dry pulverised coal suitable for entrained flow processes