DISCRETE PARTICLE SIMULATION OF DENSE PHASE PARTICULATE FLOWS

First, methods of numerical analysis of gas-particle flows is classified into micro, meso and macro scale approaches based on the concept of multi-scale mechanics. Next, the explanation moves on to discrete particle simulation where motion of individual particles is calculated numerically using the Newtonian equations of motion. The author focuses on the cases where particle-to-particle interaction has significant effects on the phenomena. Concerning the particle-to-particle interaction, two cases are considered: the one is collision-dominated flows and the other is the contact-dominated flows. To treat this interaction mathematically, techniques named DEM(Distinct Element Method) or DSMC (Direct Simulation Monte Carlo) have been developed DEM, which has been developed in the field of soil mechanics, is useful for the contact -dominated flows and DSMC method, developed in molecular gas flows, is for the collision-dominated flows. Combining DEM or DSMC with CFD (computer fluid dynamics), the discrete particle simulation becomes a more practical tool for industrial flows because not only the particle-particle interaction but particle-fluid interaction can be handled. As examples of simulations, various results are shown, such as hopper flows, particle segregation phenomena, particle mixing in a rotating drum, dense phase pneumatic conveying, spouted bed, dense phase fluidized bed, fast circulating fluidized bed and so on.