CFD-DEM Simulation And Performance Optimization Of A Cyclone Separator Using True Shape Modeling Of Bio-particulate Matter

Bio-particulate matter includes grains and seeds are considered finite and discrete materialswith complex irregular size and shape.Although the flow of these particles can behave like a continuum fluid at times,their discontinuous behavior cannot be simulated with traditional continuum-based computer modeling such as finite-element or finite-difference methods.The Discrete Element Method(DEM)coupled with Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD)is considered a promising numerical method that can model discrete particles by tracking the motion of each particle in fluid flow.DEM has been extensively used in the field of rock and engineering mechanics where its application is starting to achieve the popularity in grain processing,harvesting,and postharvest operations.While CFD has been able to simulate the complex fluid flows with a quantitative and qualitative description of temporal and spatial change characteristics of the flow field.This investigation applied a new strategy of the CFD–DEM coupling approach to model the granular flow related to the agricultural field in one of common aerodynamic systems namely inverse-flow cyclone separator.Herein,the work mainly consists of five principal aspects that are introduced based on the research arrangement.First,a background of the popular aerodynamic system applied in the agricultural process and industries.Second,theoretical mathematical modeling of the CFD–DEM coupling approach.Third,simulation and modeling the different mass loading of the true shape of the bio-particulate matter considering the interaction forces of particle-particle,particle-boundary,and particle-fluid in a designed aero-cyclone separator.Fourth,optimizing the designed aero-cyclone separator performance through the modulation of changing the position and dimensions of the involute inlet portion and cyclone barrel section length.Fifth,predict and conduct a comparison between the optimized aero-cyclone separator with standard aero-cyclones viz 1D3D,2D2D,1D2D.To carry out and analyze the numerical simulation of the granular flow inside the investigated cyclones,one-way coupling technique of the commercial software of ANSYS-Fluent~?(CFD)and Rocky~?(DEM)was used.Whilst,the bio-particulate matter used for testing and modeling was conducted on two heterogeneous groups of particulate matter mixed with airflow namely jojoba seeds and jojoba leaves without fly ash.This research is considered the first head start approach in the cyclonic separation and purification field using true shape modeling of bio-particulate matter with this coupling methodology.The main findings are discussed and summarized as a part of this investigation,where future developments and challenges are highlighted.The obtained results indicated that CFD–DEM coupling is a promising technique to model the bio-particulate matter behavior immersed in fluid flow and it could be beneficial to develop and optimize the device's geometries and the operations.