RESEARCH ARTICLE

Simulating multiphase flow in a two-stage pusher centrifuge using computational fluid dynamics

  • Chong PANG 1 ,
  • Wei TAN 1 ,
  • Endian SHA 2 ,
  • Yuanqing TAO 2 ,
  • Liyan LIU , 1
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  • 1. School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
  • 2. Zhejiang Qingji Ind. Co. Ltd. Inc., Hangzhou 311401, China

Received date: 23 Mar 2012

Accepted date: 11 May 2012

Published date: 05 Sep 2012

Copyright

2014 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Abstract

The design of two-stage pusher centrifuges have developed rapidly, but a good understanding of the theory behind their practice is a long-standing problem. To better understand centrifugal filter processes, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software program FLUENT has been used to model the three-dimensional geometry and to simulate multiphase flows based on Euler-Euler, moving mesh, dynamic mesh and porous media models. The simulation tangential velocities were a little smaller than those for rigid-body motion. In the stable flow region, the radial velocities were in good agreement with the theoretical data. Additionally, solid concentration distribution were obtained and also showed good agreement with the experimental data. These results show that this simulation method could be an effective tool to optimize the design of the two-stage pusher centrifuge.

Cite this article

Chong PANG , Wei TAN , Endian SHA , Yuanqing TAO , Liyan LIU . Simulating multiphase flow in a two-stage pusher centrifuge using computational fluid dynamics[J]. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2012 , 6(3) : 329 -338 . DOI: 10.1007/s11705-012-1205-5

Acknowledgments

This work has been supported by the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Terms in Universities of China (No. IRT0936)
Nomenclature
Gk=generation of turbulence kinetic energy due to the mean velocity gradients,kg/(m·s3)
Gb=generation of turbulence kinetic due to buoyancykg/(m·s3)
Cm,C1z,C2z=turbulent parameters
u=velocity vector,m·s-1
ug=speed of moveming grid mesh,m·s-1
Γ=diffusion coefficient
SΦ=source term,kg/(m·s3)
nf=surface grid number of control volume
Aj=surface area vector of surface j
hmin=cells minimum heightm
h0=ideal cell heightm
C2=inertial resistance factor,1/m
d=diameter of the particle,m
ur=settling velocity,m·s-1
uz=axial velocity,m·s-1
ps=static pressurePa
t = time just to reach the stable work condition
z = axial position, m
Greek symbols
κ=turbulence kinetic energy,m2·s-2
ϵ=turbulent dissipation rate,m2·s-3
μeff=turbulent(or eddy) viscosity,Pa·s
σk,σz=turbulent parameters
αs=partition factor for the layer
α=permeability,m-2
η1=correction coefficient of the settling velocity
ρ=fluid density,kg·m-3
ω=angular velocity,r·min-1
γ=specific weight of the liquid,kg/(m2·s2)
Subscripts
i, j, k = Cartesian coordinate components
l=liquid phase
s=solid phase
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