Gaussian Integral Method for Void Fraction

TL;DR

The paper introduces the Gaussian Integral Method (GIM), a versatile and accurate approach for calculating void fractions in CFD-DEM simulations across various grid types, validated against experimental data.

Contribution

The novel GIM technique enables grid-independent, accurate void fraction calculations on unstructured polyhedral meshes without special boundary treatments.

Findings

GIM produces results closely matching experimental data.

Unstructured polyhedral grids with GIM outperform structured grids.

GIM enhances accuracy of CFD-DEM simulations in complex geometries.

Abstract

A novel method, the Gaussian Integral Method (GIM), is presented for calculating void fractions in Computational Fluid Dynamics-Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) simulations. GIM is versatile and applicable to various grid types, including structured and unstructured polyhedral meshes, without requiring special boundary treatments. An optimization technique is introduced to make GIM independent of grid resolution and type. The method is validated against experimental data from a fluidized bed, demonstrating that GIM produces realistic simulations closely resembling experimental observations. Additionally, unstructured polyhedral grids using GIM outperform structured grids of equivalent resolution, yielding results more aligned with experimental data. The gradient of the void fraction is computed in the CFD solver and utilized in the DEM solver for precise estimation at particle locations. Overall, GIM provides an effective solution for void fraction calculations in particulate media simulations with complex geometries, enhancing the accuracy and applicability of CFD-DEM simulations in industrial applications.