Abstract

Dust generation and dispersion continue to be a major concern for many in the industries that rely on bulk materials handling, and the ability to predict dust generation and dispersion remains challenging. This study looks at the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and discrete element method (DEM) as a means of predicting dust generation and dispersion. The paper outlines work completed on predicting dust dispersion during the loading process of a bulk carrier using the Rotabox™ system for a stevedoring company at a port in Australia. CFD simulations are conducted to analyze the induced air flow generated inside the cargo hold of a bulk carrier including typical cross-wind conditions. Coupled CFD-DEM simulations are conducted to analysis the air flow inside the cargo hold driven by the unloading of the bulk material. Dust particle free-settling time is used to assess the dust cloud formation and dispersion based on the flow conditions predicted by CFD-DEM simulations. The study finds that the unloading process is likely to disperse dust into the cargo hold at a level that without dust suppression would result in dust being dispersed into the broader environment by the typical cross-wind conditions at the port.

摘要

对于依赖散装材料处理的行业中的许多人来说，粉尘的产生和扩散仍然是一个主要问题，预测粉尘的产生和扩散的能力仍然具有挑战性。本研究着眼于使用计算流体动力学 (CFD) 和离散元法 (DEM) 作为预测粉尘产生和扩散的手段。该论文概述了在澳大利亚港口的一家装卸公司使用 Rotabox™ 系统预测散货船装载过程中粉尘扩散的工作。进行 CFD 模拟以分析散货船货舱内产生的诱导气流，包括典型的侧风条件。进行耦合 CFD-DEM 模拟以分析由散装材料卸载驱动的货舱内的气流。尘粒自由沉降时间用于根据 CFD-DEM 模拟预测的流动条件评估尘云的形成和扩散。研究发现，卸货过程很可能会将灰尘分散到货舱中，如果没有抑制灰尘，港口典型的侧风条件会将灰尘分散到更广泛的环境中。