Transport, Mixing and Agglomeration of Particles in Turbulent Flows

This paper describes methods and approaches that have been used to simulate and model the transport, mixing and agglomeration of small particles in a flowing turbulent gas. The transported particles because of their inertia are assumed not to follow the motion of the large scales of the turbulence and or the motion of the small dissipating scales of the turbulence. We show how both these behaviours can be represented by a PDF approach analogous to that used in classical kinetic theory. For large scale dispersion the focus is on transport in simple generic flows like statistically stationary homogeneous and isotropic turbulence and simple shear flows. Special consideration is given to the transport and deposition of particles in turbulent boundary layers. For small scale transport the focus is on how the small scales of turbulence together with the particle inertial response enhance collision processes like particle agglomeration. In this case the importance of segregation and the formation of caustics, singularities and random uncorrelated motion is highlighted and discussed.     

Statistical models for predicting the effect of bidisperse particle collisions on particle velocities and stresses in homogeneous anisotropic turbulent flows

The purpose of this paper is to present and compare two statistical models for predicting the effect of collisions on particle velocities and stresses in bidisperse turbulent flows. These models start from a kinetic equation for the probability density function (PDF) of the particle velocity distribution in a homogeneous anisotropic turbulent flow. The kinetic equation describes simultaneously particle–turbulence and particle–particle interactions. The paper is focused on deriving the collision terms in the governing equations of the PDF moments. One of the collision models is based on a Grad-like expansion for the PDF of the velocity distributions of two particles. The other model stems from a Grad-like expansion for the joint fluid–particle PDF. The validity of these models is explored by comparing with Lagrangian simulations of particle tracking in uniformly sheared and isotropic turbulent flows generated by LES. Notwithstanding the fact that the fluid turbulence may be isotropic, the particle velocity fluctuations are anisotropic due to the impact of gravitational settling. Comparisons of the model predictions and the numerical simulations show encouraging agreement.     

Modeling of dynamics, heat transfer, and combustion in two-phase turbulent flows: 1. Isothermal flows

This paper presents a review of authors' collective works in the field of two-phase flow modeling done in the past few decades. The paper is aimed at the construction of mathematical models for simulation of particle-laden turbulent flows. A kinetic equation was obtained for the probability density function (PDF) of the particle velocity distribution in turbulent flows. The proposed kinetic equation describes both the interaction of particles with turbulent eddies of the carrier phase and particle-particle collisions. This PDF equation is used for the derivation of different schemes describing turbulent momentum transfer in the dispersed particle phase. The turbulent characteristics of the gaseous phase are calculated on the basis of the k - turbulence model with a modulation effect of particles on the turbulence.

The constructed models have been applied to the calculation of various two-phase gas-particle turbulent flows in jets and channels as well as particle deposition in tubes and separators. For validating the theoretical and numerical results, a wide range of comparisons with experimental data from Russian and foreign sources has been done.     

A model for tracking inertial particles in a lattice Boltzmann turbulent flow simulation

A computationally inexpensive model for tracking inertial particles through a turbulent flow is presented and applied to the turbulent flow through a square duct having a friction Reynolds number of Re_τ = 300. Prior to introducing particles into the model, the flow is simulated using a lattice Boltzmann computation, which is allowed to evolve until a steady state turbulent flow is achieved. A snapshot of the flow is then stored, and the trajectories of particles are computed through the flow domain under the influence of this static probability field. Although the flow is not computationally evolving during the particle tracking simulation, the local velocity is obtained stochastically from the local probability function, thus allowing the dynamics of the turbulent flow to be resolved from the point of view of the suspended particles. Particle inertia is modeled by using a relaxation parameter based on the particle Stokes number that allows for a particle velocity history to be incorporated during each time step. Wall deposition rates and deposition patterns are obtained and exhibit a high level of agreement with previously obtained DNS computational results and experimental results for a wide range of particle inertia. These results suggest that accurate particle tracking through complex turbulent flows may be feasible given a suitable probability field, such as one obtained from a lattice Boltzmann simulation. This in turn presents a new paradigm for the rapid acquisition of particle transport statistics without the need for concurrent computations of fluid flow evolution.     

高浓度固-液两相流紊流的动理学模型

采用分子动理学方法,基于固-液两相流液相分子或颗粒相颗粒的Boltzmann方程,对Boltzmann方程分别取零矩和一次矩,则得到高浓度固-液两相流紊流的连续方程和动量方程,再和较成熟的低浓度两相流连续方程和动量方程比较,取低浓度两相流控制方程中较成熟合理的有关项和高浓度时由动理学方法推导出的颗粒间碰撞项,则得到高浓度固-液两相流紊流的最终控制方程:连续方程和动量方程.     

Singularity of Inertial Particle Concentration in the Viscous Sublayer of Wall-bounded Turbulent Flows

The exact kinetic equation for probability density function (PDF) of the velocity and the position of inertial particle transported by turbulent non-Gaussian fluid velocity fields in the viscous sublayer of wall-bounded turbulent flow is analyzed by the method of matched asymptotic expansions. It is shown that the particle concentration near the wall exhibits a power-law singularity giving rise to the phenomenon of particle accumulation. It is shown how the corresponding exponent depends upon the particle Stokes number. The result is in good agreement with previously published results of numerical simulations. A corresponding singularity is found for the standardized higher-order moments of particle velocity.     

Transport and deposition of colliding particles in turbulent channel flows

The purpose of this paper is twofold: (i) to present statistical models that describe particle–turbulence interactions as well as particle–particle collisions and (ii) to gain a better understanding of the effect of inter-particle collisions on transport, deposition, and preferential concentration of heavy particles in turbulent channel flows. The models presented are based on a kinetic equation for the probability density function of the particle velocity distribution in anisotropic turbulent flow. The model predictions compare reasonable well with numerical simulations and properly reproduce the crucial trends of computations.     

A geometric approach for predicting vertical stationary profiles of weakly inertial advecting-diffusing particles in closed incompressible flows

Mixing of weakly inertial particles in closed flows is often addressed by considering individual particles as passive advecting-diffusing tracers, subjected to an additional settling velocity resulting from body forces (e.g. gravity). We show that the qualitative and quantitative features of the vertical particle distribution (i.e. the horizontal cross-sectional averages of particle concentration) can be predicted from the structure of the flow resulting from the superposition of the stirring field and the settling velocity. The prediction is based upon the observation that the resulting flow can be divided into two nonoverlapping regions, namely trajectories that are confined within the mixing space (recirculation loops), and trajectories that cross the mixing space. The spatial extent of these regions is exploited to define an effective vertical convective velocity entering the one-dimensional lumped model. Model two-dimensional flows possessing different flow patterns are used to illustrate the proposed estimate for effective velocity. A CFD-computed three-dimensional turbulent flow inside a baffled stirred vessel is used as a benchmark test to assess the model performance in typical industrial flows.     

The simulation of turbulent particle‐laden channel flow by the Lattice Boltzmann method

We perform direct numerical simulation of three‐dimensional turbulent flows in a rectangular channel, with a lattice Boltzmann method, efficiently implemented on heavily parallel general purpose graphical processor units. After validating the method for a single fluid, for standard boundary layer problems, we study changes in mean and turbulent properties of particle‐laden flows, as a function of particle size and concentration. The problem of physical interest for this application is the effect of water droplets on the turbulent properties of a high‐speed air flow, near a solid surface. To do so, we use a Lagrangian tracking approach for a large number of rigid spherical point particles, whose motion is forced by drag forces caused by the fluid flow; particle effects on the latter are in turn represented by distributed volume forces in the lattice Boltzmann method. Results suggest that, while mean flow properties are only slightly affected, unless a very large concentration of particles is used, the turbulent vortices present near the boundary are significantly damped and broken down by the turbulent motion of the heavy particles, and both turbulent Reynolds stresses and the production of turbulent kinetic energy are decreased because of the particle effects. We also find that the streamwise component of turbulent velocity fluctuations is increased, while the spanwise and wall‐normal components are decreased, as compared with the single fluid channel case. Additionally, the streamwise velocity of the carrier (air) phase is slightly reduced in the logarithmic boundary layer near the solid walls. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Eulerian prediction of the fluid/particle correlated motion in turbulent two-phase flows

An approximate equation governing the turbulent fluid velocity encountered along discrete particle path is used to derive the fluid/particle turbulent moments required for dispersed two-phase flows modelling. Then, closure model predictions are compared with results obtained from large-eddy simulation of particle fluctuating motion in forced isotropic fluid turbulence.     

Turbulent particle dispersion in arbitrary wall-bounded geometries: A coupled CFD-Langevin-equation based approach

A Lagrangian continuous random walk (CRW) model is developed to predict turbulent particle dispersion in arbitrary wall-bounded flows with prevailing anisotropic, inhomogeneous turbulence. The particle tracking model uses 3D mean flow data obtained from the Fluent CFD code, as well as Eulerian statistics of instantaneous quantities computed from DNS databases. The turbulent fluid velocities at the current time step are related to those of the previous time step through a Markov chain based on the normalized Langevin equation which takes into account turbulence inhomogeneities. The model includes a drift velocity correction that considerably reduces unphysical features common in random walk models. It is shown that the model satisfies the well-mixed criterion such that tracer particles retain approximately uniform concentrations when introduced uniformly in the domain, while their deposition velocity is vanishingly small, as it should be. To handle arbitrary geometries, it is assumed that the velocity rms values in the boundary layer can locally be approximated by the DNS data of fully developed channel flows. Benchmarks of the model are performed against particle deposition data in turbulent pipe flows, 90° bends, as well as more complex 3D flows inside a mouth-throat geometry. Good agreement with the data is obtained across the range of particle inertia.     

Statistical model of collisions of bidisperse particles in an anisotropic turbulent flow

A statistical model for describing the motion and collisions of a bidisperse mixture of particles in anisotropic turbulent flows is presented. The model is based on a kinetic equation for the particle velocity probability density function (PDF). The results are compared with the data of a direct numerical simulation of the sedimentation of a bidisperse mixture of particles under the action of the gravity force.     

Measurement of inertial particle clustering and relative velocity statistics in isotropic turbulence using holographic imaging

We present the first measurements of relative velocity statistics of inertial particles in a homogeneous isotropic turbulent flow with three-dimensional holographic particle image velocimetry (holographic PIV). From the measurements we are able to obtain the radial relative velocity probability density function (PDF) conditioned on the interparticle separation distance, for distances on the order of the Kolmogorov length scale. Together with measurements of the three-dimensional radial distribution function (RDF) in our turbulence chamber, these statistics, in principle, can be used to determine interparticle collision rates via the formula derived by Sundaram and Collins (1997). In addition, we show temporal development of the RDF, which reveals the existence of an extended quasi-steady-state regime in our facility. Over this regime the measured two-particle statistics are compared to direct numerical simulations (DNS) with encouraging qualitative agreement. Statistics at the same Reynolds number but different Stokes numbers demonstrate the ability of the experiment to correctly capture the trends associated with particles of different inertia. Our results further indicate that even at moderate Stokes numbers turbulence may enhance collision rates significantly. Such experimental investigations may prove valuable in validating, guiding and refining numerical models of particle dynamics in turbulent flows.     

Modulation of homogeneous turbulence seeded with finite size bubbles or particles

The dynamics of homogeneous, isotropic turbulence seeded with finite sized particles or bubbles is investigated in a series of numerical simulations, using the force-coupling method for the particle phase and low wavenumber forcing of the flow to sustain the turbulence. Results are given on the modulation of the turbulence due to massless bubbles, neutrally buoyant particles and inertial particles of specific density 1.4 at volumetric concentrations of 6%. Buoyancy forces due to gravity are excluded to emphasize finite size and inertial effects for the bubbles or particles and their interactions with the turbulence. Besides observing the classical entrapment of bubbles and the expulsion of inertial particles by vortex structures, we analyze the Lagrangian statistics for the velocity and acceleration of the dispersed phase. The turbulent fluctuations are damped at mid-range wavenumbers by the bubbles or particles while the small-scale kinetic energy is significantly enhanced. Unexpectedly, the modulation of turbulence depends only slightly on the dispersion characteristics (bubble entrapment in vortices or inertial sweeping of the solid particles) but is closely related to the stresslet component (finite size effect) of the flow disturbances. The pivoting wavenumber characterizing the transition from damped to enhanced energy content is shown to vary with the size of the bubbles or particles. The spectrum for the energy transfer by the particle phase is examined and the possibility of representing this, at large scales, through an additional effective viscosity is discussed.     

考虑颗粒间碰撞的气固两相流拉格朗日模拟

在均匀,稳定的各向同性气固两相紊流场颗粒弥散的拉格朗日模拟计算方法基础上,进一步考虑了流场中颗粒之间的碰撞对于模拟计算结果的影响。与Lavieville用大涡模拟所做的计算结果进行了对比,以对本方法进行验证,并考察了颗粒间的碰撞分别对流体相和颗粒相的影响。     

稠密气固两相流各向异性颗粒相矩方法

基于气体分子动力学和颗粒动理学方法,考虑颗粒速度脉动各向异性,建立颗粒相二阶矩模型.应用初等输运理论,对三阶关联项进行模化和封闭.考虑颗粒与壁面之间的能量传递和交换,建立颗粒相边界条件模型.采用Koch等计算方法模拟气固脉动速度关联矩.考虑气体-颗粒间相互作用,建立稠密气体-颗粒流动模型.数值模拟提升管内气固两相流动特性,模拟结果表明提升管内颗粒相湍流脉动具有明显的各向异性.预测颗粒速度、浓度和颗粒脉动速度二阶矩与Tartan等实测结果相吻合.模拟结果表明轴向颗粒速度脉动强度约为平均颗粒相脉动强度的1.5倍,轴向颗粒脉动能大约是径向颗粒脉动能3.0倍.     

A Statistical Model for Predicting the Heat Transfer of Solid Particles in Turbulent Flows

The objective of this paper is twofold: (1) to present a statistical model of particle transport and heat transfer in turbulent flows and (2) to examine the performance of this model in various turbulent flows going from a simple flow to a more complicated one. This model is based on a kinetic equation for the probability density function of the particle velocity and temperature distributions in anisotropic turbulent flow. The model predictions compare reasonable well with numerical simulations and properly reproduce the crucial trends of computations performed in various turbulent flows.     

Relations for particle deposition in turbulent gas-particle channel flows

Using the dimensional and similarity analysis in a combination with the method of matched asymptotic expansions, the problem of particle deposition on boundaries in high-Reynolds number turbulent channel flows is studied. Based on the conventional two-layer scheme of a turbulent near-wall flow, the relations for the distributions of the particle concentration and the velocity fluctuation moments in the wall region are obtained. Asymptotic laws are derived for the particle deposition rate for diffusion-impact and inertial deposition regimes.     

Nonlinear nonequilibrium kinetic model of the Boltzmann equation for a gas with power-law interaction

A model kinetic equation approximating the Boltzmann equation on a wide range of the intensities of nonequilibrium states of gases is derived to describe rarefied gas flows. The kinetic model is based on a distribution function dependent on the absolute velocity of gas particles. Themodel kinetic equation possesses a high computational efficiency and the problem of shock wave structure is solved on its basis. The calculated and experimental data for argon are compared.