DEM simulation of particle percolation in a packed bed

The phenomenon of spontaneous particle percolation under gravity is investigated by means of the discrete element method. Percolation behaviors such as percolation velocity,residence time distribution and radial dispersion are examined under various conditions. It is shown that the vertical velocity of a percolating particle moving down through a packing of larger particles decreases with increasing the restitution coefficient between particles and diameter ratio of the percolating to packing particles. With the increase of the restitution coefficient,the residence time and radial dispersion of the percolating particles increase. The packing height affects the residence time and radial dispersion. But,the effect can be eliminated in the analysis of the residence time and radial dispersion when they are normalized by the average residence time and the product of the packing height and packing particle diameter,respectively.In addition,the percolation velocity is shown to be related to the vertical acceleration of the percolating particle when an extra constant vertical force is applied. Increasing the feeding rate of percolating particles decreases the dispersion coefficient.     

DEM simulation of particle percolation in a packed bed

The phenomenon of spontaneous particle percolation under gravity is investigated by means of the discrete element method. Percolation behaviors such as percolation velocity, residence time distribution and radial dispersion are examined under various conditions. It is shown that the vertical velocity of a percolating particle moving down through a packing of larger particles decreases with increasing the restitution coefficient between particles and diameter ratio of the percolating to packing particles. With the increase of the restitution coefficient, the residence time and radial dispersion of the percolating particles increase. The packing height affects the residence time and radial dispersion. But, the effect can be eliminated in the analysis of the residence time and radial dispersion when they are normalized by the average residence time and the product of the packing height and packing particle diameter, respectively. In addition, the percolation velocity is shown to be related to the vertical acceleration of the percolating particle when an extra constant vertical force is applied. Increasing the feeding rate of percolating particles decreases the dispersion coefficient.     

Implicit finite difference method for fractional percolation equation with Dirichlet and fractional boundary conditions

An implicit finite difference method is developed for a one-dimensional fractional percolation equation (FPE) with the Dirichlet and fractional boundary conditions. The stability and convergence are discussed for two special cases, i.e., a continued seepage flow with a monotone percolation coefficient and a seepage flow with the fractional Neumann boundary condition. The accuracy and efficiency of the method are checked with two numerical examples.     

Effects of the Correlation Length on the Hydraulic Parameters of a Fracture Network

We consider the influences of correlation length and aperture variability on the REV, the equivalent permeability of a fracture network, and the uncertainty in the equivalent permeability using a two-dimensional orthogonal bond percolation model. The percolation threshold, correlation length, effective conductivity, and coefficient of variation of the effective conductivity are investigated over statistically representative multiple realizations with Monte Carlo simulations in 2D fracture networks that have log-normally distributed individual fracture permeabilities. We show that although the aperture variability is large, the REV and the correlation length are similar near the percolation threshold. In contrast, when the fracture density is much larger than the percolation threshold they diverge as the aperture variability increases. We characterize the effects of correlation length and aperture variability on effective conductivity with a simple function. From the coefficient of variation analysis, the correlation length can be a criterion for evaluating which conceptual model is appropriate for describing the flow system for a given fracture network when aperture variability is sufficiently small. However, discrete fracture network models are recommended for flow simulation models because of the difficulty of REV estimation and the uncertainty in equivalent hydraulic parameters when aperture variability is large.     

On the time development of dispersion in electroosmotic flow through a rectangular channel

This is an analytical study on the time development of hydrodynamic dispersion of an inert species in electroosmotic flow through a rectangular channel.The objective is to determine how the channel side walls may affectthe dispersion coefficient at different instants of time.Tothis end,the generalized dispersion model,which is valid forshort and long times,is employed in the present study.Analytical expressions are derived for the convection and dispersion coefficients as functions of time,the aspect ratio ofthe channel,and the Debye-Hu¨ckel parameter representingthe thickness of the electric double layer.For transport ina channel of large aspect ratio,the dispersion may undergoseveral stages of transience.The initial,fast time development is controlled by molecular diffusion across the narrowchannel height,while the later,slower time development isgoverned by diffusion across the wider channel breadth.Fora sufficiently large aspect ratio,there can be an interludebetween these two periods during which the coefficient isnearly steady,signifying the resemblance of the transportto that in a parallel-plate channel.Given a sufficiently longtime,the dispersion coefficient will reach a fully-developedsteady value that may be several times higher than that without the side wall effects.The time scales for these periods oftransience are identified in this paper.     

research on rotational dispersion coefficient of fiber in turbulent shear flow of fiber suspension

The rotational dispersion coefficient of the fiber in the turbulent shear flow of fiber suspension was studied theoretically. The function of correlation moment between the different fluctuating velocity gradients of the flow was built firstly. Then the expres- sion, dependent on the characteristic length, time, velocity and a dimensionless parameter related to the effect of wall, of rotational dispersion coefficient is derived. The derived expression of rotational dispersion coefficient can be employed to the inhomogeneous and non-isotropic turbulent flows. Furthermore it can be expanded to three-dimensional turbulent flows and serves the theoretical basis for solving the turbulent flow of fiber suspension.     

Theoretical research on rotational dispersion coefficient of fiber in turbulent shear flow of fiber suspension

The rotational dispersion coefficient of the fiber in the turbulent shear flow of fiber suspension was studied theoretically. The function of correlation moment between the different fluctuating velocity gradients of the flow was built firstly. Then the expression, dependent on the characteristic length, time, velocity and a dimensionless parameter related to the effect of wall, of rotational dispersion coefficient is derived. The derived expression of rotational dispersion coefficient can be employed to the inhomogeneous and non-isotropic turbulent flows. Furthermore it can be expanded to three-dimensional turbulent flows and serves the theoretical basis for solving the turbulent flow of fiber suspension.     

波浪场中物质输移离散系数的理论分析

海岸水域波浪引起的物质输移扩散存在着不同于水流引起的物质输移扩散的特征. 通过解析的方法对垂向扩散方程进行求解, 推导出波浪和潮流共同作用下的海岸水域物质输移离散系数的理论公式. 分析中将总的离散系数分为潮流、质量输移流、纯波浪波动作用以及潮流与质量输移流、潮流与波浪波动、质量输移流与波浪波动的相互作用6部分, 通过分析各组成部分特征, 得出海岸水域物质输移中波浪所产生的离散效应主要是质量输移流贡献, 波浪水质点运动及波流相互作用对时间平均离散系数的贡献较小的结论.仅波浪的作用(不包括潮流)的有关结果与他人数值模拟和实验结果的吻合良好, 证明了该理论推导的正确性. 给出了时间平均离散系数及离散系数波动幅值随波浪周期和波高的变化特征,同时将结果应用于垂向环流, 给出了垂向环流对应于质量输移流所产生的离散系数的特征.      

回转窑多粒径颗粒流动与偏析的DEM模拟与实验研究

为明晰回转窑内颗粒的运动行为及偏析机理,以绿豆、黄豆和黑豆为颗粒介质,依次对3种装填顺序下的颗粒流动过程进行离散元模拟与实验研究,以颗粒质量分数和平均粒度为判据,对颗粒偏析进行评价。结果表明,回转窑内颗粒流动区可分为自由滚落区、渗流呆滞区以及窑壁携带区,自由滚落区颗粒流速最大,而渗流呆滞区流速最小。窑内颗粒沿轴向输运过程发生径向偏析,形成夹层结构,小颗粒受渗流作用在渗流呆滞区中心形成内核,大粒径和中等粒径颗粒集中在自由滚落区和窑壁携带区。窑内颗粒力链分布不均匀,强力链分布于近窑壁区,弱力链分布于自由滚落区和渗流呆滞区,且渗流呆滞区力链细而密集。当窑头附近不同粒径颗粒存在轴向速度差时,颗粒在轴向发生掺混,并产生径向偏析。     

On the dispersion of a solute in Poiseuille flow of a third-grade fluid in a channel

Gill and Sankarasubramanian's analysis of the dispersion of Newtonian fluids in laminar flow between two parallel walls are extended to the flow of non-Newtonian viscoelastic fluid (known as third-grade fluid) using a generalized dispersion model which is valid for all times after the solute injection. The exact expression is obtained for longitudinal convective coefficient K₁(Γ), which shows the effect of the added viscosity coefficient Γ on the convective coefficient. It is seen that the value of the K₁(Γ) for Γ≠0 is always smaller than the corresponding value for a Newtonian fluid. Also, the effect of the added viscosity coefficient on the K₂(t,Γ) (which is a measure of the longitudinal dispersion coefficient of the solute) is explored numerically. Finally, the axial distribution of the average concentration C_m of the solute over the channel cross-section is determined at a fixed instant after the solute injection for several values of the added viscosity coefficient.     

Comment on ‘fractal and superdiffusive transport and hydrodynamic dispersion in heterogeneous porous media’, by Muhammad Sahimi

Two fundamental questions regarding the application of percolation theory to transport in porous media are addressed. First, when critical path arguments (based on a sufficiently wide spread of microscopic transition rates) are invoked (in analogy to the case of transport in disordered semiconductors) to justify the application of percolation theory to the determination of relevant transport properties, then for long time scales (compared to the inverse of the critical percolation rate), the fractal structure of the critical path is relevant to transport, but not at short time scales. These results have been demonstrated concretely in the case of disordered semiconductors, and are in direct contradiction to the claims of the review. Second, the relevance of deterministic or stochastic methods to transport has been treated heretofore by most authors as a question of practicality. But, at least under some conditions, concrete criteria distinguish between the two types of transport. Percolative (deterministic) transport is temporally reproducible and spatially inhomogeneous while diffusive (stochastic) transport is temporally irreproducible, but homogeneous, and a cross-over from stochastic to percolative transport occurs when the spread of microscopic transition rates exceeds 4–5 orders of magnitude. It is likely that such conditions are frequently encountered in soil transport. Moreover, clear evidence for deterministic transport (although not necessarily percolative) exists in such phenomena as preferential flow. On the other hand, the physical limitation of transport to (fractally connected) pore spaces within soils (analogously to transport in metal-insulator composites) can make transport diffusive on a fractal structure, rather than percolative.Transport in Porous Media13 (1993), 3–40.     

Dispersion in consolidated sandstone with radial flow

This paper presents some experimental and theoretical results for dispersion processes occurring in consolidated Berea sandstone with radial flow geometry. A comprehensive review of the derivation and application of several analytical solutions is also presented. The Galerkin finite element method is applied to solve the advection-dispersion equation for unidimensional radial flow.Individual and combined effects of mechanical dispersion and molecular diffusion are examined using velocity-dependent dispersion models. Comparison of simulated results with experimental data is made. The effect of flow rates is examined. The results suggest that a linear dispersion model,D=u, whereD is the dispersion coefficient,u the velocity and a constant, is not a good approximation despite its wide acceptance in the literature. The most suitable mathematical formulation is given by an empirical form of , whereD _ois the molecular diffusion coefficient. For the range of Péclet number (Pe=vd/D _m,wherev is the characteristic velocity,d the characteristic length andD _mthe molecular diffusion coefficient in porous media) examined (Pe=0.5 to 285), a power constant ofm=1.2 is obtained which agrees with the value reported by some other workers for the same regime.     

Advective and dispersive mixing in stratified formations

The mixing process in fluid flow is presented as the bending and stretching of material lines or filaments. A mixing exponent, which quantifies their specific rate of stretching, is defined and analyzed for the case of groundwater flow though stratified formations characterized by a Gaussian autocovariance function. The analysis is performed for purely advective mixing as well as for advective-dispersive mixing. The mixing exponent was found to be proportional to the variance of hydraulic conductivity and inversely proportional to the correlation scale of hydraulic conductivity and to the pore-level dispersion coefficient.     

Microscopic mechanism of periodical electroosmosis in reservoir rocks

Based on the electric double layer (EDL) theory and the momentum equation governing the electroosmosis flow, this paper presents an analytical solution to the periodical electroosmosis with a parallel straight capillary bundle model of reservoir rocks to reveal the microscopic mechanism of the electroosmotic flows in rocks. The theory shows that both the frequency dispersion characteristics of the macroscopic electroosmotic Darcy velocity in unsealed rocks and the electroosmotic pressure coefficient in sealed rocks depend on the porosity and electrochemical properties of reservoir rocks. The mathematical simulation indicates that the distribution of the periodical electroosmotic velocity is wavelike in the rock pore. The greater the porosity is, the greater electroosmotic the Darcy velocity and the smaller electroosmotic pressure coefficient are generated. The module values of the electroosmotic Darcy velocity and the electroosmotic pressure coefficient increase with the decreasing solution concentration or the increasing cation exchange capacity without affecting the phase of the electroosmotic Darcy velocity.     

Apparent Permeability and Gas Flow Behavior in Carboniferous Shale from the Qaidam Basin,China: An Experimental Study

Shale can act as an unconventional gas reservoir with low permeability and complex seepage characteristics. Study of the apparent permeability and percolation behavior of shale gas is important in understanding the permeability of shale reservoirs, to evaluate formation damage, to develop gas reservoirs, and to design wells. This study simulated methane percolation at 298.15 K under inlet pressures ranging from 0.2 to 4 MPa and a constant outlet pressure of 0.1 MPa to investigate shale gas percolation behavior and apparent permeability. Five representative shale cores from the Carboniferous Hurleg and Huitoutala formations in the eastern Qaidam Basin, China, were analyzed. Each experiment measured the volume flow rate of methane and the inlet pressure. Pseudopressure approach was used to analyze high-velocity flow in shale samples, and apparent permeability at different pressures was calculated using the traditional method. A nonlinear apparent permeability model that considers diffusion and slippage is established from theory and experimental data fitting, and the shale gas flow characteristics affected by slippage and diffusion are analyzed. The results indicate that the pseudopressure formulation that considers the effect of gas properties on high-velocity flow produces a more accurate linear representation of the experimental data. The apparent gas permeability of shale consists of contributions from Darcy permeability, slippage, and diffusion. The apparent permeability and gas flow behavior in the studied shales strongly depended on pressure. The diffusion contribution increased greatly as pressure decreased from 2 to 0.2 MPa, and the smaller the shale permeability, the greater the relative contribution of diffusion flow. At pressures greater than 2 MPa, slip flow contributes \(\sim \)20% of the total flux, Darcy flow contributes up to 70%, and diffusion makes only a minor contribution. This study provides useful information for future studies of the mechanism of shale gas percolation and the exploration and development of Qaidam Basin shale gas specifically.     

Percolation model of an inhomogeneous anisotropic medium

A model of the variation in capillary conductivity is proposed. The change in the permeability of an inhomogeneous medium under load is investigated on the basis of the percolation model [3] and is numerically modeled for cases of hydrostatic compression and nonisotropic loading. The validity of the percolation approach to the determination of the change in flow properties under load is demonstrated.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 67–75, January–February, 1986.     

Three-dimensional percolation from a bounded stratum to a single borehole

Three-dimensional percolation of a liquid from a nonuniform bounded stratum to a single borehole is considered. It is shown that the method leads to insignificant errors, even in those cases when the percolation zone differs substantially from the circular and the percolation differs from radial flow.Translated from Ivestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 6, pp. 122–127, November–December, 1971.     

A phenomenological modification of rheological models for concentrated two-phase systems: application to a thermoplastic/thermoset blend

This paper considers an improvement of the emulsion models to take into account concentrated emulsions with no coalescence but with significant interaction between particles. For this purpose, a term proportional to the volume fraction of material in excess to the percolation threshold is added to the dynamic modulus. Its usefulness was tested to model the viscoelastic behavior in oscillatory shear flow of concentrated and diluted blends of a thermoplastic polystyrene with an epoxy-amine thermoset. These blends experience phase separation upon polymerization and the volume fraction of separated phase varies continuously with time. At low volume fraction of dispersed phase, the behavior could be described with a simple emulsion model that takes into account the plastisizing, dilution, and phase separation mechanisms. However, for concentration in excess to the percolation threshold, the modification can cope with a larger increase in the modulus related to the mechanical percolation of the dispersed particles.     

FLOW BEHAVIOR AND MASS TRANSFER IN THREE-PHASE EXTERNAL-LOOP AIRLIFT REACTORS WITH LARGE PARTICLES

The flow behavior and mass transfer in a three-phase external-loop airlift reactor can be improved by adding large particles. The mass transfer and liquid dispersion behavior for a three-phase external-loop reactor with large particles are studied in terms of the effect of the diameter and loading of the large particles on the liquid dispersion coefficient and mass transfer coefficient, The results showed that increasing the diameter or loading of the large particles tend to decrease dispersion and intensify mass transfer, and that an increase in the diameter of the large particles remarkably decreases the particle loop rate, while the effect of fine particles is much less notable.     

FLOW BEHAVIOR AND MASS TRANSFER IN THREE-PHASE EXTERNAL-LOOP AIRLIFT REACTORS WITH LARGE PARTICLES

The flow behavior and mass transfer in a three-phase external-loop airlift reactor can be improved by adding large particles. The mass transfer and liquid dispersion behavior for a three-phase external-loop reactor with large particles are studied in terms of the effect of the diameter and loading of the large particles on the liquid dispersion coefficient and mass transfer coefficient. The results showed that increasing the diameter or loading of the large particles tend to decrease dispersion and intensify mass transfer, and that an increase in the diameter of the large particles remarkably decreases the particle loop rate, while the effect of fine particles is much less notable.