Numerical Study of a Two-Phase Flow in a Centrifugal Dust Collector Based on a Two-Fluid Turbulence Model
Abstract
The mathematical modeling of swirling turbulent flows is a difficult problem. The study of such flows using direct numerical simulation (DNS) or large eddy simulation (LES) models is computationally intensive. A numerical study of a two-phase turbulent flow inside a centrifugal dust collector based on the above methods is practically impossible today. Therefore, for studying such flows, turbulence models based on the closure of the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations (RANS) are acceptable mathematical models. However, linear RANS models based on the Boussinesq hypothesis are not suitable for solving such problems. Boussinesq’s hypothesis assumes isotropic turbulence while anisotropic turbulence arises in the case of rotating flows. For small flow swirls, special corrections are introduced into the linear RANS models. With strong flow swirls, for example, as in centrifugal dust collectors, these corrections may be insufficient to obtain acceptable numerical solutions. Therefore, in such cases, it is recommended to use nonlinear RANS models, for example, based on Reynolds stresses. However, these models are too complex and cumbersome to study two-phase media. Recently, a new two-fluid turbulence model has emerged. This model is accurate and easy to implement when solving practical problems. Therefore, the aim of this study is to numerically study a two-phase turbulent flow inside a centrifugal dust collector based on a new two-fluid model. To verify the model, the obtained numerical results are compared with the experimental data. The paper also presents the results obtained using the linear SARC model.