CFD-DEM simulation of Small-Scale Challenge Problem 1 with EMMS bubble-based structure-dependent drag coefficient

In this study,the energy minimization multi-scale(EMMS)/Bubbling model is coupled with the computational fluid dynamics/discrete element method(CFD-DEM)model via a structure-dependent drag coefficient to simulate the National Energy Technology Laboratory(NETL)small-scale challenge problem using the open-source multiphase flow code MFIX.The numerical predictions are compared against particle velocity measurements obtained from high-speed particle image velocimetry(HSPIV)and differential pressure measurements.The drag-reduction effect of the EMMS bubble-based drag coefficient is observed to significantly improve predictions of the horizontal particle velocity and granular temperature when compared to several other drag coefficients tested;however,the vertical particle velocity and pressure fluctuation characteristic predictions are degraded.The drag-reduction effect is characterized by a reduction in the sizes of slugs or voids,as identified through spectral decomposition of the pressure fluctuations.Overall,this study shows great promise in employing drag coefficients,developed via multi-scale approaches(such as the EMMS paradigm),in CFD-DEM models.