CFD Modelling of River Flow

ByDr. D.R. Kaushal

Associate ProfessorDepartment of Civil Engineering

IIT Delhi

CFD Modeling of multiphase flows

CFD modeling consists of:

1. Division of the domain into discrete control volumes using GAMBIT

2. Integration of the governing equations on the individual CV to construct algebraic equations for the discrete dependent variables using FLUENT

3. Linearization of the discretized equations and solution of the resultant equation system to yield updated values of the dependent variables using FLUENT

Modeling multiphase flows using CFD

1. The Eulerian Model (Euler-Euler Approach)

The Eulerian model is the most complex of the multiphase models.

It solves a set of momentum and continuity equations for each phase.

Coupling is achieved through the pressure and interphase exchange coefficients.

Kaushal, D.R., Thinglas, T. and Tomita, Y., CFD modeling for pipeline flow of fine particles at high concentration, Int. J. of Multiphase Flow, Under Review, 2011.

(slurry flow of glass beads with mean diameter of 125m for velocity up to 5m/s at volumetric concentrations of 30%, 40% and 50% for each velocity)

Modeling multiphase flows using CFD

2. The Mixture Model (Euler-Euler Approach)

The mixture model is designed for two or more phases (fluid or particulate).

As in the Eulerian model, the phases are treated as interpenetrating continua.

The mixture model solves for the mixture momentum equation and prescribes relative velocities to describe the dispersed phases, hence applicable for medium concentrations up to 20% by volume.

1.Kaushal, D.R., Kumar, A. and Tomita, Y., Flow of mono-dispersed particles through horizontal bend, Int. J. of Multiphase Flow, Under Review, 2011.2.Kaushal, D.R., Kumar, A. and Tomita, Y., Flow of bi-modal particles through horizontal bend, Int. J. of Multiphase Flow, Under Review, 2011.

(slurry flow of silica sand with mean diameter of 450 m for velocity up to 3.6 m/s at volumetric concentrations of 4%, 9% and 17% for each velocity. Fly ash is added in different proportions for bi-modal slurry flow study.)

Modeling multiphase flows using CFD

3. The Discrete Phase Model (Euler-Lagrange Approach)

The fluid phase is treated as a continuum by solving the time-averaged Navier-Stokes equations.

Dispersed phase is solved by tracking a large number of particles through the calculated flow field. The dispersed phase can exchange momentum, mass, and energy with the fluid phase.

A fundamental assumption made in this model is that the dispersed second phase occupies a low volume fraction (up to 10% by volume). The particle trajectories are computed individually at specified intervals during the fluid phase calculation.

Kaushal, D.R., Thinglas, T. and Tomita, Y., Experimental Investigation on Optimization of Invert Trap Configuration for Solid Management, Powder Technology, Accepted.

Modeling multiphase flows using CFD

4. The Volume of Fluid (VOF) model

The VOF model can model two or more immiscible fluids

The VOF formulation relies on the fact that two or more fluids (or phases) are not interpenetrating

VOF solves single set of momentum equations

VOF tracks the volume fraction of each of the fluids throughout the domain

VOF is widely used for open channel flows

Governing Equations of Discrete Phase Model (DPM)

Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations representing transport equations for the mean flow velocities

Source term in the momentum equation due to presence of the particulate phase and for each cell C

Boussinesq hypothesis, relating the Reynolds stresses with the mean velocitygradients (Hinze, 1975)

RNG based k turbulence model

Force balance on the particle in x- direction

Sewer/canal sediment management by Invert Trap

Experimental Study on Invert Trap

Experimental Setup contd.. Pictorial View of Experimental Set-Up

Collecting Tank

Channel

Sediment injector

Pump

Invert Trap

Inlet Tank

Regulator

Re-circulating Pipe

Experimental Set-Up at Simulation Laboratory, Civil Engineering Department, IIT Delhi

Video Clip

Invert Trap Configurations

Variation of retention ratio with slot size

Three-dimensional geometry for Configuration 5 used in CFD computations

Grid Generation using GAMBIT

Cross-sectional mesh used in CFD

Zones Cell depth Cell length

Number of Mesh

cellsChannel

(upstream of invert trap)

3mm 5 mm 70,000

Invert Trap 1 mm 3 mm 20,000

Channel (downstream of

invert trap)

3mm 5 mm 40,000

Details of 3D mesh generated using GAMBIT software

CFD based velocity contours in m/s at flow rate of 9.95 l/s

Fluid velocity vectors in m/s for slot size of 15 cm at flow rate of 9.95 l/s

CFD based particle trajectories at flow rate of 9.95 l/s

CFD-based retention ratio for Sand1 particles for different slot sizes for Configuration4

List of Selected Long-Distance Slurry Pipelines

Product Project Location Length Year of

    (Km) Operation

Iron Concentrate India (BRPL Orissa) 220 2009

Iron Ore tailings India (BRPL Orissa) 18 2009

Bauxite Ore Brazil 244 2007

Iron Concentrate Brazil 400 2007

Iron Concentrate China 177 2007

Iron Concentrate India (Essar Steel) 268 2005

Copper Concentrate Chile 103 2004

Copper/Zinc Concentrate Peru 302 2001

Copper Concentrate Chile 203 1998

Copper Concentrate Argentina 312 1997

Iron Concentrate China 105 1997

Copper Concentrate Chile 167 1990

Coal USA 1675 1979

Coal USA 440 1970

Experimental Set-Up at Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, IIT Delhi

Slurry pipeline transportation system

CFD based pressure drop profile in slurry pipe bend

CFD based concentration profiles profile in slurry pipe bend

CFD simulation of hydraulic jump

CFD simulation of drop structure

CFD simulation of drop gated spillway

CFD simulation of cantilever outfall

CFD simulation of Ganga river

The hydraulic characteristics of natural river flood plains are not

well understood at present. This is due to the problems encountered in

monitoring spatially distributed patterns of flow depths, velocity,

turbulence characteristics etc. For designing the flood protection strategies, it is very important

for river engineers to accurately predict water levels that may be expected

due to any flood discharge. One of the consequences resulting from the more recently

recognized hazards of climate change is the potential to increase the levels

and occurrence of flooding worldwide. Meandering channel flows being highly complicated are a matter of

recent and continued research.

3D geometry is developed using (x,y,z) coordinates obtained from

DEM

CFD based simulations are done on the basis of discharge data

Based on CFD analysis, meandering patterns are obtained

CFD results will be studied to suggest flood protection strategies

and preventive measures for protecting banks from erosion

CFD based deposition pattern in meandering river

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