The aim of this thesis is to describe the new wear modelling framework for the numerical simulation of fully coupled multiphase flows with dynamic boundary motion in response to wear. The framework considers the combination of coupling fluid flow, particle motion, wear modelling and boundary movement within a single model which has not yet been achieved in research. This is of significance in the minerals processing industry from both economical and safety aspects due to the degradation of components as a result of wear from the abrasive nature of slurry flows. The wear modelling framework uses a hybrid Eulerian-Lagrangian modelling approach which tracks particle trajectory with representative Lagrangian particles, with particle-particle interactions modelled statistically through the use of the kinetic theory of granular flow. This approach allows for full coupling of the phases with particle trajectory information required for wear modelling whilst remaining computationally feasible through the use of representative particles.

Boundary movement in response to wear uses an anisotropic unstructured adap tive mesh approach which allows the mesh to move in response to a specified grid velocity and also optimised in order to provide resolution in areas important to the chosen fields and decrease in areas not required at specified time steps. The wear modelling framework takes place between a Python based Lagrangian particle module coupled with a computational fluid dynamics framework developed within Imperial College London called Fluidity.

The framework can be applied to the study of component wear when subject to solid particles entrained in fluids. Component wear is a key consideration in many industries working with particle-laden flow as the study of wear through experimentation or in the field is time consuming and expensive. Simulation of jet impingement in two dimensions confirms the behaviour of boundary deformation in response to wear. A comprehensive study of Coriolis tester arm simulations are conducted to understand the effects of physical parameters on the wear profile obtained. Results are compared with experimental data from Weir Minerals and numerical simulations using the wear modelling framework are able to accurately capture the key characteristics of the wear profile and the behaviour of the particles.