A methodology for coupling DNS and discretised population balance for modelling turbulent precipitation
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Tang, Hin Yan
Rigopoulos, Stelios
Papadakis, George
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
In this paper, we present a methodology for simulating nanoparticle formation in a turbulent flow by coupling Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) and population balance modelling. The population balance equation (PBE) is solved via a discretisation method employing a composite grid that provides sufficient detail over the wide range of particle sizes reached during the precipitation process. The coupled DNS/PBE approach captures accurately the strong interaction between the dynamics of turbulent mixing and particle formation processes. It also allows the calculation of the particle size distribution (PSD) of the product and enables an investigation on how it is controlled by turbulent mixing. Finally, it provides the statistics of kinetic processes and their timescales so that further analysis can be performed. The methodology is applied to the simulation of experiments of hydrodynamics and nanoparticle precipitation in a T-mixer (Schwertfirm et al., 2007, Int. J. of Heat and Fluid Flow 28, pp. 1429-1442; Schwarzer et al., 2006, Chem.Eng. Sci. 61, pp. 167-181), and the agreement with the experimental results is very good.
Date Issued
2020-12-01
Date Acceptance
2020-08-28
Citation
International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, 2020, 86
ISSN
0142-727X
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow
Volume
86
Copyright Statement
© 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
The Leverhulme Trust
Grant Number
EP/K026801/1
RPG-2018-101
Subjects
0901 Aerospace Engineering
0913 Mechanical Engineering
0915 Interdisciplinary Engineering
Mechanical Engineering & Transports
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 108689
Date Publish Online
2020-11-19