CFD Modeling Courses

Modeling Discrete
Phase

Lecturer: Ehsan.A.Saadati
Sharif University of Technology
Owj Group-Tehran: First Edition Fall 2010- Non
Completed
ehsan.saadati@gmail.com
www.petrodanesh.ir
1

Contents

Introduction
Particle Motion Theory
Multicomponent Particle Theory
Wall-Film Model Theory
Particle Erosion and Accretion Theory
Dynamic Drag Model Theory
Spray Model Theory
Atomizer Model Theory
One-Way and Two-Way Coupling
Discrete Phase Model (DPM) Boundary Conditions
Steps for Using the Discrete Phase Models
Setting Initial Conditions for the Discrete Phase
Setting Boundary Conditions for the Discrete Phase
Setting Material Properties for the Discrete Phase
Solution Strategies for the Discrete Phase
Postprocessing for the Discrete Phase

Introductory

In addition to solving transport equations for the continuous

phase, FLUENT allows you to simulate a discrete second
phase in a Lagrangian frame of reference. This second
phase consists of spherical particles (which may be taken to
represent droplets or bubbles) dispersed in the continuous
phase. FLUENT computes the trajectories of these discrete
phase entities, as well as heat and mass transfer to/from
them. The coupling between the phases and its impact on
both the discrete phase trajectories and the continuous
phase flow can be included.

Introductory
FLUENT provides the following discrete phase modeling options:
calculation of the discrete phase trajectory using a Lagrangian
formulation that includes the discrete phase inertia, hydrodynamic
drag, and the force of gravity, for both steady and unsteady flows

prediction of the effects of turbulence on the dispersion of

particles due to turbulent eddies present in the continuous phase
heating/cooling of the discrete phase
vaporization and boiling of liquid droplets
combusting particles, including volatile evolution and char
combustion to simulate coal combustion
optional coupling of the continuous phase flow field prediction to
the discrete phase calculations
droplet breakup and coalescence

Limitation on the Particle

Volume Fraction

The discrete phase formulation used by FLUENT contains the

assumption that the second phase is sufficiently dilute that
particle-particle interactions and the effects of the particle volume
fraction on the gas phase are negligible. In practice, these issues
imply that the discrete phase must be present at a fairly low
volume fraction, usually less than 10-12%. Note that the mass
loading of the discrete phase may greatly exceed 10-12%: you
may solve problems in which the mass flow of the discrete phase
equals or exceeds that of the continuous phase. See Chapter 23
for information about when you might want to use one of the
general multiphase models instead of the discrete phase model.

Equations of Motion for

Particles

Equations of Motion for

Particles
The drag coefficient, CD , can be taken from either

Equations of Motion for

Particles
For sub-micron particles, a form of Stokes' drag law is available . In this
case, FD is defined as

The factor CD is the Cunningham correction to Stokes' drag law , which

you can compute from:

Where is the molecular mean free path.

8

Equations of Motion for

Particles
Thermophoretic Force
Small particles suspended in a gas that has a temperature gradient
experience a force in the direction opposite to that of the gradient. This
phenomenon is known as thermophoresis. FLUENT can optionally
include a thermophoretic effect on particles in the additional acceleration
(force/unit mass) term, FX , in bellow Equation

Equations of Motion for

Particles

This expression assumes that the particle is a sphere and that the
fluid is an ideal gas.
10

Brownian Force
For sub-micron particles, the effects of Brownian motion can be
optionally included in the additional force term.

T is the absolute temperature of the fluid, is the kinematic

viscosity, and kB is the Boltzmann constant. Amplitudes of the
Brownian force components are of the form

Where i are zero-mean, unit-variance-independent Gaussian random

numbers. The amplitudes of the Brownian force components are
evaluated at each time step. The energy equation must be enabled in
order for the Brownian force to take effect. Brownian force is intended
11
only for nonturbulent models.

Saffman's Lift Force

The Saffman's lift force, or lift due to shear, can also be included in
the additional force term as an option. The lift force used is from Li
and Ahmadiand is a generalization of the expression provided by
Saffman

Where K=2.594 and dij is the deformation tensor. This form of the lift
force is intended for small particle Reynolds numbers. Also, the
particle Reynolds number based on the particle-fluid velocity
difference must be smaller than the square root of the particle
Reynolds number based on the shear field. Since this restriction is
valid for submicron particles, it is recommended to use this option
only for submicron particles.

12

Turbulent Dispersion of
Particles
The dispersion of particles due to turbulence in the fluid phase can
be predicted using the stochastic tracking model or the particle cloud
model.The stochastic tracking (random walk) model includes the
effect of instantaneous turbulent velocity fluctuations on the particle
trajectories through the use of stochastic methods. The particle cloud
model tracks the statistical evolution of a cloud of particles about a
mean trajectory. The concentration of particles within the cloud is
represented by a Gaussian probability density function (PDF) about
the mean trajectory. For stochastic tracking a model is available to
account for the generation or dissipation of turbulence in the
continuous phase

13

Stochastic Tracking
When the flow is turbulent, FLUENT will predict the trajectories of
particles using the mean fluid phase velocity, , in the trajectory
equations. Optionally, you can include
the instantaneous value of the fluctuating gas flow velocity,

u=+uu
to predict the dispersion of the particles due to turbulence.
FLUENT uses a stochastic method (random walk model) to
determine the instantaneous gas velocity. In the discrete random
walk (DRW) model, the fluctuating velocity components are discrete
piecewise constant functions of time. Their random value is kept
constant over an interval of time given by the characteristic lifetime
of the eddies.
The DRW model may give nonphysical results in strongly
nonhomogeneous diffusion-dominated flows, where small particles
14
should become uniformly distributed. Instead, the DRW will show a

The Integral Time

Prediction of particle dispersion makes use of the concept of the
integral time scale,T , which describes the time spent in turbulent
motion along the particle path, ds :

The integral time is proportional to the particle dispersion rate, as

larger values indicate more turbulent motion in the flow. It can be
shown that the particle diffusivity is given by :

For small "tracer'' particles that move with the fluid (zero drift
velocity), the integral time becomes the fluid Lagrangian integral
time, . This time scale can be approximated as

15

The Integral Time

for the - model and its variants, and

when the Reynolds stress model (RSM) is used

16

The Discrete Random Walk

Model
In the discrete random walk (DRW) model, or "eddy lifetime'' model,
the interaction of a particle with a succession of discrete stylized fluid
phase turbulent eddies is simulated. Each eddy is characterized by :
a Gaussian distributed random velocity fluctuation,uu ,v u and w u
a time scale,e
The values of uu ,v u and w u that prevail during the lifetime of the
turbulent eddy are sampled by assuming that they obey a Gaussian
probability distribution, so that

Where is a normally distributed random number, and the remainder

of the right-hand side is the local RMS value of the velocity
fluctuations. Since the kinetic energy of turbulence is known at each
point in the flow, these values of the RMS fluctuating components
can be defined (assuming isotropy) as

17

The Discrete Random Walk

Model
for the k- model, the k- model, and their variants. When the RSM
is used, nonisotropy of the stresses is included in the derivation of
the velocity fluctuations:

when viewed in a reference frame in which the second moment of

the turbulence is diagonal. For the LES model, the velocity
fluctuations are equivalent in all directions.

18

The Discrete Random Walk

Model
The characteristic lifetime of the eddy is defined either as a constant:
e=2TL
Where TL is given by before mentioned Equation in general, or as a
random variation about TL:
e=-TLlog(r)
Where r is a uniform random number between 0 and 1 and TL is given
by Equation 22.2-23. The option of random calculation of yields a
more realistic description of the correlation function.

19

The Discrete Random Walk

Model
The particle eddy crossing time is defined as

The particle is assumed to interact with the fluid phase eddy over the
smaller of the eddy lifetime and the eddy crossing time. When this
time is reached, a new value of the instantaneous velocity is
obtained by applying a new value of

20

Using the DRW Model

The only inputs required for the DRW model are the value for the
integral time-scale constant, C L and the choice of the method used
for the prediction of the eddy lifetime. You can choose to use either a
constant value or a random value by selecting the appropriate option
in the Set Injection Properties panel for each injection, as
described in Section 22.12.5.

21

Stochastic Staggering of
Particles
In order to obtain a better representation of an injector, the particles
can be staggered either spatially or temporally. When particles are
staggered spatially, FLUENT randomly samples from the region in
which the spray is specified (e.g., the sheet thickness in the pressureswirl atomizer) so that as the calculation progresses, trajectories will
originate from the entire region. This allows the entire geometry
specified in the atomizer to be sampled while specifying fewer
streams in the input panel, thus decreasing computational expense.
When injecting particles in a transient calculation using relatively
large time steps in relation to the spray event, the particles can
clump together in discrete bunches. The clumps do not look
physically realistic, though FLUENT calculates the trajectory for each
particle as it passes through a cell and the coupling to the gas phase
is properly accounted for. To obtain a statistically smoother
representation of the spray, the particles can be staggered in time.
During the first time step, the particle is tracked for a random
percentage of its initial step. This results in a sample of the initial
22
volume swept out by the particle during the first time step and a

Stochastic Staggering of
Particles
The menu for staggering is available in the text user interface, under
define/models/dpm/options/particle-staggering
The "staggering factor'' in the TUI is a constant which multiplies the
random sample. The staggering factor controls the percentage of the
initial time step that will be sampled. For example, if the staggering
factor is 0.5, then the parcels in the injection will be tracked between
half and all of their full initial time step. If the staggering factor is 0.1,
then the parcels will be tracked between ninety percent and all of
their initial time step. If the staggering factor is set to 0.9, the parcels
will be tracked between ten percent and all of their initial time step.
This allows the user to control the amount of smoothing between
injections.
The default values for the options in the TUI are no temporal
staggering and a temporal staggering factor of 1.0. The temporal
staggering factor is inactive until the flag for temporal staggering is
23
turned on.

Multicomponent Particle Theory

A number of industrially important processes, such as distillation,
absorption and extraction, bring into contact two phases which are
not at equilibrium. The rate at which a specie is transferred from one
phase to the other depends on the departure of the system from
equilibrium. The quantitative treatment of these rate processes
requires knowledge of the equilibrium states of the system. Apart
from these cases, vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) relationships in
multicomponent systems are needed for the solution of many other
classes of engineering problems, such as the computation of
evaporation rates in spray combustion applications.

24

Wall-Film Model Theory

Spray-wall interaction is an important part of the mixture formation
process in port fuel injected (PFI) engines. A fuel spray impinges on a
surface, usually at the intake port near the intake valve, as well as at
the intake valve itself, where it splashes and subsequently
evaporates. The evaporated mixture is entrained into the cylinder of
the engine, where it is mixed with the fresh charge and any residual
gas in the cylinder. The mixture that is compressed and burned,
finally exits through the exhaust port. The process repeats itself
between 200 and 8000 times per second, depending on the engine.
DPM particles are used to model the wall-film. The wall-film model in
FLUENT allows a single component liquid drop to impinge upon a
boundary surface and form a thin film. The model can be broken
down into four major subtopics: interaction during the initial impact
with a wall boundary, subsequent tracking on surfaces, calculation of
film variables, and coupling to the gas phase. Next slide figure
schematically shows the basic mechanisms considered for the wallfilm model.
25

Wall-Film Model Theory

Mechanisms of Splashing, Momentum, Heat and Mass Transfer for the

Wall-Film
26

Wall-Film Model Theory

The main assumptions and restrictions for the wall-film model are as
follows:
The layer is thin, less than 500 microns in thickness. This limitation
is due to the assumption of a linear velocity profile in the film.
The temperature in the film particles change relatively slowly so
that an analytical integration scheme can be utilized.
Film particles are assumed to be in direct contact with the wall
surface and the heat transfer from the wall to the film takes place by
conduction.
The film temperature never exceeds the boiling temperature for the
liquid.
The simulation is transient.
The wall-film model is not available with the Workpile Algorithm
shared memory option in parallel processing.

27

Splashing
If the particle impinging on the surface has a sufficiently high energy,
the particle splashes and several new particles are created. The
number of particles created by each impact is explicitly set by the
user in the DPM tab in the Boundary Conditions panel, as in
Figure 22.4.3. The number of splashed parcels may be set to an
integer value between zero and ten. The properties (diameter,
magnitude, and direction) of the splashed parcels are randomly
sampled from the experimentally obtained distribution functions
described in the following sections. Setting the number of splashed
parcels to zero turns off the splashing calculation. Bear in mind that
each splashed parcel can be considered a discrete sample of the
distribution curves and that selecting the number of splashed drops
in the Boundary Conditions panel does not limit the number of
splashed drops, only the number of parcels representing those drops.

28

Splashing

29

One-Way and Two-Way Coupling

You can use FLUENT to predict the discrete phase patterns based on
a fixed continuous phase flow field (an uncoupled approach or "oneway coupling"), or you can include the effect of the discrete phase on
the continuum (a coupled approach or "two-way coupling"). In the
coupled approach, the continuous phase flow pattern is impacted by
the discrete phase (and vice versa), and you can alternate
calculations of the continuous phase and discrete phase equations
until a converged coupled solution is achieved. See Section 22.9.1
for details.
Using FLUENT's discrete phase modeling capability, reacting
particles or droplets can be modeled and their impact on the
continuous phase can be examined. Several heat and mass transfer
relationships, termed "laws'', are available in FLUENT and the
physical models employed in these laws are described in this section.

30

Coupling Between the

Discrete and Continuous
Phases
As the trajectory of a particle is
computed, FLUENT keeps track of the
heat, mass, and momentum gained or
lost by the particle stream that follows
that trajectory and these quantities
can be incorporated in the subsequent
continuous phase calculations. Thus,
while the continuous phase always
impacts the discrete phase, you can
also incorporate the effect of the
discrete phase trajectories on the
continuum. This two-way coupling is
accomplished by alternately solving
the discrete and continuous phase
equations until the solutions in both
phases have stopped changing. This
interphase exchange of heat, mass,
and momentum from the particle to
31
the continuous phase is depicted

The End
By: Ehsan Saadati
Pardad Petrodanesh Co
ehsan.saadati@gmail.com
:Find out more at
www.petrodanesh.ir
www.petrodanesh.com

m
o

e
l
p

d
e
t

0
1
0
C
2
i
y
t
n
r
a
o
a
d
u
a
N Jan
a
S
n
a
s
Eh
33