Chapter 18.

Introduction to Modeling Multiphase Flows

A large number of ows encountered in nature and technology are a mixture of phases. Physical phases of matter are gas, liquid, and solid, but the concept of phase in a multiphase ow system is applied in a broader sense. In multiphase ow, a phase can be dened as an identiable class of material that has a particular inertial response to and interaction with the ow and the potential eld in which it is immersed. For example, dierent-sized solid particles of the same material can be treated as different phases because each collection of particles with the same size will have a similar dynamical response to the ow eld. This chapter provides an overview of multiphase modeling in FLUENT, and Chapters 19 and 20 provide details about the multiphase models mentioned here. Chapter 21 provides information about melting and solidication. Information in this chapter is presented in the following sections: Section 18.1: Multiphase Flow Regimes Section 18.2: Examples of Multiphase Systems Section 18.3: Approaches to Multiphase Modeling Section 18.4: Choosing a Multiphase Model

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Introduction to Modeling Multiphase Flows

18.1

Multiphase Flow Regimes

Multiphase ow can be classied by the following regimes, grouped into four categories: gas-liquid or liquid-liquid ows bubbly ow: discrete gaseous or uid bubbles in a continuous uid droplet ow: discrete uid droplets in a continuous gas slug ow: large bubbles in a continuous uid stratied/free-surface ow: immiscible uids separated by a clearly-dened interface gas-solid ows particle-laden ow: discrete solid particles in a continuous gas pneumatic transport: ow pattern depends on factors such as solid loading, Reynolds numbers, and particle properties. Typical patterns are dune ow, slug ow, packed beds, and homogeneous ow. uidized beds: consist of a vertical cylinder containing particles where gas is introduced through a distributor. The gas rising through the bed suspends the particles. Depending on the gas ow rate, bubbles appear and rise through the bed, intensifying the mixing within the bed. liquid-solid ows slurry ow: transport of particles in liquids. The fundamental behavior of liquid-solid ows varies with the properties of the solid particles relative to those of the liquid. In slurry ows, the Stokes number (see Equation 18.4-4) is normally less than 1. When the Stokes number is larger than 1, the characteristic of the ow is liquid-solid uidization. hydrotransport: densely-distributed solid particles in a continuous liquid

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18.2 Examples of Multiphase Systems

sedimentation: a tall column initially containing a uniform dispersed mixture of particles. At the bottom, the particles will slow down and form a sludge layer. At the top, a clear interface will appear, and in the middle a constant settling zone will exist. three-phase ows (combinations of the others listed above) Each of these ow regimes is illustrated in Figure 18.1.1.

18.2

Examples of Multiphase Systems

Specic examples of each regime described in Section 18.1 are listed below: Bubbly ow examples: absorbers, aeration, air lift pumps, cavitation, evaporators, otation, scrubbers Droplet ow examples: absorbers, atomizers, combustors, cryogenic pumping, dryers, evaporation, gas cooling, scrubbers Slug ow examples: large bubble motion in pipes or tanks Stratied/free-surface ow examples: sloshing in oshore separator devices, boiling and condensation in nuclear reactors Particle-laden ow examples: cyclone separators, air classiers, dust collectors, and dust-laden environmental ows Pneumatic transport examples: transport of cement, grains, and metal powders Fluidized bed examples: uidized bed reactors, circulating uidized beds Slurry ow examples: slurry transport, mineral processing Hydrotransport examples: mineral processing, biomedical and physiochemical uid systems Sedimentation examples: mineral processing

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Introduction to Modeling Multiphase Flows

slug flow

bubbly, droplet, or particle-laden flow

stratified/free-surface flow

pneumatic transport, hydrotransport, or slurry flow

sedimentation

fluidized bed

Figure 18.1.1: Multiphase Flow Regimes

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18.3 Approaches to Multiphase Modeling

18.3

Approaches to Multiphase Modeling

Advances in computational uid mechanics have provided the basis for further insight into the dynamics of multiphase ows. Currently there are two approaches for the numerical calculation of multiphase ows: the Euler-Lagrange approach and the Euler-Euler approach. 18.3.1 The Euler-Lagrange Approach

The Lagrangian discrete phase model in FLUENT (described in Chapter 19) follows the Euler-Lagrange approach. The uid phase is treated as a continuum by solving the time-averaged Navier-Stokes equations, while the dispersed phase is solved by tracking a large number of particles, bubbles, or droplets through the calculated ow eld. The dispersed phase can exchange momentum, mass, and energy with the uid phase. A fundamental assumption made in this model is that the dispersed second phase occupies a low volume fraction, even though high mass loading (m particles m uid ) is acceptable. The particle or droplet trajectories are computed individually at specied intervals during the uid phase calculation. This makes the model appropriate for the modeling of spray dryers, coal and liquid fuel combustion, and some particle-laden ows, but inappropriate for the modeling of liquid-liquid mixtures, uidized beds, or any application where the volume fraction of the second phase is not negligible. 18.3.2 The Euler-Euler Approach

In the Euler-Euler approach, the dierent phases are treated mathematically as interpenetrating continua. Since the volume of a phase cannot be occupied by the other phases, the concept of phasic volume fraction is introduced. These volume fractions are assumed to be continuous functions of space and time and their sum is equal to one. Conservation equations for each phase are derived to obtain a set of equations, which have similar structure for all phases. These equations are closed by providing constitutive relations that are obtained from empirical information, or, in the case of granular ows, by application of kinetic theory.

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Introduction to Modeling Multiphase Flows

In FLUENT, three dierent Euler-Euler multiphase models are available: the volume of uid (VOF) model, the mixture model, and the Eulerian model. The VOF Model The VOF model (described in Section 20.2) is a surface-tracking technique applied to a xed Eulerian mesh. It is designed for two or more immiscible uids where the position of the interface between the uids is of interest. In the VOF model, a single set of momentum equations is shared by the uids, and the volume fraction of each of the uids in each computational cell is tracked throughout the domain. Applications of the VOF model include stratied ows, free-surface ows, lling, sloshing, the motion of large bubbles in a liquid, the motion of liquid after a dam break, the prediction of jet breakup (surface tension), and the steady or transient tracking of any liquid-gas interface. The Mixture Model The mixture model (described in Section 20.3) is designed for two or more phases (uid or particulate). As in the Eulerian model, the phases are treated as interpenetrating continua. The mixture model solves for the mixture momentum equation and prescribes relative velocities to describe the dispersed phases. Applications of the mixture model include particle-laden ows with low loading, bubbly ows, sedimentation, and cyclone separators. The mixture model can also be used without relative velocities for the dispersed phases to model homogeneous multiphase ow. The Eulerian Model The Eulerian model (described in Section 20.4) is the most complex of the multiphase models in FLUENT. It solves a set of n momentum and continuity equations for each phase. Coupling is achieved through the pressure and interphase exchange coecients. The manner in which this coupling is handled depends upon the type of phases involved; granular (uid-solid) ows are handled dierently than non-granular (uid-uid) ows. For granular ows, the properties are obtained from application of

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18.4 Choosing a Multiphase Model

kinetic theory. Momentum exchange between the phases is also dependent upon the type of mixture being modeled. FLUENTs user-dened functions allow you to customize the calculation of the momentum exchange. Applications of the Eulerian multiphase model include bubble columns, risers, particle suspension, and uidized beds.

18.4

Choosing a Multiphase Model

The rst step in solving any multiphase problem is to determine which of the regimes described in Section 18.1 best represents your ow. Section 18.4.1 provides some broad guidelines for determining appropriate models for each regime, and Section 18.4.2 provides details about how to determine the degree of interphase coupling for ows involving bubbles, droplets, or particles, and the appropriate model for dierent amounts of coupling. 18.4.1 General Guidelines

In general, once you have determined the ow regime that best represents your multiphase system, you can select the appropriate model based on the following guidelines. Additional details and guidelines for selecting the appropriate model for ows involving bubbles, droplets, or particles can be found in Section 18.4.2. For bubbly, droplet, and particle-laden ows in which the dispersedphase volume fractions are less than or equal to 10%, use the discrete phase model. See Chapter 19 for more information about the discrete phase model. For bubbly, droplet, and particle-laden ows in which the phases mix and/or dispersed-phase volume fractions exceed 10%, use either the mixture model (described in Section 20.3) or the Eulerian model (described in Section 20.4). See Sections 18.4.2 and 20.1 for details about how to determine which is more appropriate for your case. For slug ows, use the VOF model. See Section 20.2 for more information about the VOF model.

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For stratied/free-surface ows, use the VOF model. See Section 20.2 for more information about the VOF model. For pneumatic transport, use the mixture model for homogeneous ow (described in Section 20.3) or the Eulerian model for granular ow (described in Section 20.4). See Sections 18.4.2 and 20.1 for details about how to determine which is more appropriate for your case. For uidized beds, use the Eulerian model for granular ow. See Section 20.4 for more information about the Eulerian model. For slurry ows and hydrotransport, use the mixture or Eulerian model (described, respectively, in Sections 20.3 and 20.4). See Sections 18.4.2 and 20.1 for details about how to determine which is more appropriate for your case. For sedimentation, use the Eulerian model. See Section 20.4 for more information about the Eulerian model. For general, complex multiphase ows that involve multiple ow regimes, select the aspect of the ow that is of most interest, and choose the model that is most appropriate for that aspect of the ow. Note that the accuracy of results will not be as good as for ows that involve just one ow regime, since the model you use will be valid for only part of the ow you are modeling. 18.4.2 Detailed Guidelines

For stratied and slug ows, the choice of the VOF model, as indicated in Section 18.4.1, is straightforward. Choosing a model for the other types of ows is less straightforward. As a general guide, there are some parameters that help to identify the appropriate multiphase model for these other ows: the particulate loading, , and the Stokes number, St. (Note that the word particle is used in this discussion to refer to a particle, droplet, or bubble.)

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18.4 Choosing a Multiphase Model

The Eect of Particulate Loading Particulate loading has a major impact on phase interactions. The particulate loading is dened as the mass density ratio of the dispersed phase (d) to that of the carrier phase (c): = The material density ratio = d c (18.4-2) d d c c (18.4-1)

is greater than 1000 for gas-solid ows, about 1 for liquid-solid ows, and less than 0.001 for gas-liquid ows. Using these parameters it is possible to estimate the average distance between the individual particles of the particulate phase. An estimate of this distance has been given by Crowe et al. [42]: L = dd 1+ 6
1/3

(18.4-3)

where = . Information about these parameters is important for determining how the dispersed phase should be treated. For example, for a gas-particle ow with a particulate loading of 1, the interparticle L space d is about 8; the particle can therefore be treated as isolated (i.e., d very low particulate loading). Depending on the particulate loading, the degree of interaction between the phases can be divided into three categories: For very low loading, the coupling between the phases is one-way; i.e., the uid carrier inuences the particles via drag and turbulence, but the particles have no inuence on the uid carrier. The discrete phase, mixture, and Eulerian models can all handle this type of problem correctly. Since the Eulerian model is the most expensive, the discrete phase or mixture model is recommended. 18-9

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Introduction to Modeling Multiphase Flows

For intermediate loading, the coupling is two-way; i.e., the uid carrier inuences the particulate phase via drag and turbulence, but the particles in turn inuence the carrier uid via reduction in mean momentum and turbulence. The discrete phase, mixture, and Eulerian models are all applicable in this case, but you need to take into account other factors in order to decide which model is more appropriate. See below for information about using the Stokes number as a guide. For high loading, there is two-way coupling plus particle pressure and viscous stresses due to particles (four-way coupling). Only the Eulerian model will handle this type of problem correctly. The Signicance of the Stokes Number For systems with intermediate particulate loading, estimating the value of the Stokes number can help you select the most appropriate model. The Stokes number can be dened as the relation between the particle response time and the system response time: St =
d2

d ts

(18.4-4)

d d where d = 18 c and ts is based on the characteristic length (Ls ) and the s characteristic velocity (Vs ) of the system under investigation: ts = L Vs .

For St 1.0, the particle will follow the ow closely and any of the three models (discrete phase, mixture, or Eulerian) is applicable; you can therefore choose the least expensive (the mixture model, in most cases), or the most appropriate considering other factors. For St > 1.0, the particles will move independently of the ow and either the discrete phase model or the Eulerian model is applicable. For St 1.0, again any of the three models is applicable; you can choose the least expensive or the most appropriate considering other factors.

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18.4 Choosing a Multiphase Model

Examples For a coal classier with a characteristic length of 1 m and a characteristic velocity of 10 m/s, the Stokes number is 0.04 for particles with a diameter of 30 microns, but 4.0 for particles with a diameter of 300 microns. Clearly the mixture model will not be applicable to the latter case. For the case of mineral processing, in a system with a characteristic length of 0.2 m and a characteristic velocity of 2 m/s, the Stokes number is 0.005 for particles with a diameter of 300 microns. In this case, you can choose between the mixture and Eulerian models. (The volume fractions are too high for the discrete phase model, as noted below.) Other Considerations Keep in mind that the use of the discrete phase model is limited to low volume fractions. Also, the discrete phase model is the only multiphase model that allows you to specify the particle distribution or include combustion modeling in your simulation.

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