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Comparison between the Eulerian (CFD) and the Lagrangian (DEM) approaches in the simulation of a flighted rotary drum

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Abstract

The particle dynamics in a flighted rotary drum operated with different numbers of flights and under different operating conditions was simulated by using both the Eulerian (computational fluid dynamics, CFD) and the Lagrangian (discrete element method, DEM) approaches. The simulated solid holdups in the flights as a function of the flights’ tip angular position were compared with experimental data. A systematic analysis of the computational demands of each approach was performed, as well as the impact of reducing the particle shear modulus in DEM simulations. Furthermore, the influence of the turbulence phenomenon on the particle behavior predicted by CFD simulations was also assessed. The choice of an appropriate numerical approach proved to be of great importance in the accuracy of particle dynamics prediction in a flighted rotary drum.

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Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to the Research Support Foundation of the state of Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG), the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) for their financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering, Federal University of Lavras, C. Postal 3037, Lavras, MG, 37200-900, Brazil

    Suellen M. Nascimento

  2. School of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, 38408-100, Brazil

    Rondinelli M. Lima, Rodolfo J. Brandão, Claudio R. Duarte & Marcos A. S. Barrozo

  3. Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Goiás - UFG, Goiânia, GO, 74001-970, Brazil

    Dyrney A. Santos

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  1. Suellen M. Nascimento
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Correspondence to Suellen M. Nascimento.

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Nascimento, S.M., Lima, R.M., Brandão, R.J. et al. Comparison between the Eulerian (CFD) and the Lagrangian (DEM) approaches in the simulation of a flighted rotary drum. Comp. Part. Mech. 9, 251–263 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-021-00407-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-021-00407-z

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