Computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method simulation of stirred tank reactor for graphene production

Liquid phase exfoliation(LPE)process for graphene production is usually carried out in stirred tank reactor and the interactions between the solvent and the graphite particles are important as to improve the production efficiency.In this paper,these interactions were revealed by computational fluid dynamics–discrete element method(CFD-DEM)method.Based on simulation results,both liquid phase flow hydrodynamics and particle motion behavior have been analyzed,which gave the general information of the multiphase flow behavior inside the stirred tank reactor as to graphene production.By calculating the threshold at the beginning of graphite exfoliation process,the shear force from the slip velocity was determined as the active force.These results can support the optimization of the graphene production process.

Dynamic failure process of expanded polystyrene particle lightweight soil under cyclic loading using discrete element method

Expanded polystyrene(EPS)particle-based lightweight soil,which is a type of lightweight filler,is mainly used in road engineering.The stability of subgrades under dynamic loading is attracting increased research attention.The traditional method for studying the dynamic strength characteristics of soils is dynamic triaxial testing,and the discrete element simulation of lightweight soils under cyclic load has rarely been considered.To study the meso-mechanisms of the dynamic failure processes of EPS particle lightweight soils,a discrete element numerical model is established using the particle flow code(PFC)software.The contact force,displacement field,and velocity field of lightweight soil under different cumulative compressive strains are studied.The results show that the hysteresis curves of lightweight soil present characteristics of strain accumulation,which reflect the cyclic effects of the dynamic load.When the confining pressure increases,the contact force of the particles also increases.The confining pressure can restrain the motion of the particle system and increase the dynamic strength of the sample.When the confining pressure is held constant,an increase in compressive strain causes minimal change in the contact force between soil particles.However,the contact force between the EPS particles decreases,and their displacement direction points vertically toward the center of the sample.Under an increase in compressive strain,the velocity direction of the particle system changes from a random distribution and points vertically toward the center of the sample.When the compressive strain is 5%,the number of particles deflected in the particle velocity direction increases significantly,and the cumulative rate of deformation in the lightweight soil accelerates.Therefore,it is feasible to use 5%compressive strain as the dynamic strength standard for lightweight soil.Discrete element methods provide a new approach toward the dynamic performance evaluation of lightweight soil subgrades.

Dynamic Characteristics of Irregular Ice Floes Based on Polyhedral Discrete Element Method

In polar regions, floating ice exhibits distinct characteristics across a range of spatial scales. It is well recognized that the irregular geometry of these ice formations markedly influences their dynamic behavior. This study introduces a polyhedral Discrete Element Method (DEM) tailored for polar ice, incorporating the Gilbert-Johnson-Keerthi (GJK) and Expanding Polytope Algorithm (EPA) for contact detection. This approach facilitates the simulation of the drift and collision processes of floating ice, effectively capturing its freezing and fragmentation. Subsequently, the stability and reli ability of this model are validated by uniaxial compression on level ice fields, focusing specifically on the influence of compression strength on deformation resistance. Additionally, clusters of ice floes nav igating through narrow channels are simulated. These studies have qualitatively assessed the effects of Floe Size Distribution (FSD), initial concentration, and circularity on their flow dynamics. The higher power-law exponent values in the FSD, increased circularity, and decreased concentration are each as sociated with accelerated flow in ice floe fields. The simulation results distinctly demonstrate the con siderable impact of sea ice geometry on the movement of clusters, offering valuable insights into the complexities of polar ice dynamics.

THE APPLICATION OF DISCRETE ELEMENT METHOD IN SOLVING THREE-DIMENTIONAL IMPACT DYNAMICS PROBLEMS

A three-dimensional discrete element model of the connective type is presented. Moreover,a three-dimensional numerical analysis code,which can carry out the transitional pro- cess from connective model(for continuum)to contact model(for non-continuum),is developed for simulating the mechanical process from continuum to non-continuum.The wave propagation process in a concrete block(as continuum)made of cement grout under impact loading is numer- ically simulated with this code.By comparing its numerical results with those by LS-DYNA,the calculation accuracy of the model and algorithm is proved.Furthermore,the failure process of the concrete block under quasi-static loading is demonstrated,showing the basic dynamic tran- sitional process from continuum to non-continuum.The results of calculation can be displayed by animation.The damage modes are similar to the experimental results.The two numerical examples above prove that our model and its code are powerful and efficient in simulating the dynamic failure problems accompanying the transition from continuum to non-continuum.It also shows that the discrete element method(DEM)will have broad prospects for development and application.

Review:Recent Development of High⁃Order⁃Spectral Method Combined with Computational Fluid Dynamics Method for Wave⁃Structure Interactions

The present paper reviews the recent developments of a high⁃order⁃spectral method(HOS)and the combination with computational fluid dynamics(CFD)method for wave⁃structure interactions.As the numerical simulations of wave⁃structure interaction require efficiency and accuracy,as well as the ability in calculating in open sea states,the HOS method has its strength in both generating extreme waves in open seas and fast convergence in simulations,while computational fluid dynamics(CFD)method has its advantages in simulating violent wave⁃structure interactions.This paper provides the new thoughts for fast and accurate simulations,as well as the future work on innovations in fine fluid field of numerical simulations.

Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD) Analysis and Optimization of Reconstructed Intake System of Cylinder Head Based on Slicing Reverse Method

To find out and improve the flow characteristics inside the intake system of cylinder head,the application of computational fluid dynamics(CFD)in the evaluation and optimization of the reconstructed intake system based on slicing reverse method was proposed.The flow characteristics were found out through CFD,and the velocity vector field,pressure field and turbulent kinetic energy field for different valve lifts were discussed,which were in good agreement with experimental data,and the quality of reconstruction was evaluated.In order to improve its flow characteristic,an optimization plan was proposed.The results show that the flow characteristics after optimization are obviously improved.The results can provide a reference for the design and optimization of the intake system of cylinder head.

Analysis of Temperature Rise in High-Speed Permanent Magnet Synchronous Traction Motors by Coupling the Equivalent Thermal Circuit Method and Computational Fluid Dynamics

To solve the problem of temperature rise caused by the high power density of high-speed permanent magnet synchronous traction motors,the temperature rise of various components in the motor is analyzed by coupling the equivalent thermal circuit method and computational fluid dynamics.Also,a cooling strategy is proposed to solve the problem of temperature rise,which is expected to prolong the service life of these devices.First,the theoretical bases of the approaches used to study heat transfer and fluid mechanics are discussed,then the fluid flow for the considered motor is analyzed,and the equivalent thermal circuit method is introduced for the calculation of the temperature rise.Finally,the stator,rotor loss,motor temperature rise,and the proposed cooling method are also explored through experiments.According to the results,the stator temperature at 50,000 r/min and 60,000 r/min at no-load operation is 68℃ and 76℃,respectively.By monitoring the temperature of the air outlets inside and outside the motor at different speeds,it is also found that the motor reaches a stable temperature rise after 65 min of operation.Coupling of the thermal circuit method and computational fluid dynamics is a strategy that can provide the average temperature rise of each component and can also comprehensively calculate the temperature of each local point.We conclude that a hybrid cooling strategy based on axial air cooling of the inner air duct of the motor and water cooling of the stator can meet the design requirements for the ventilation and cooling of this type of motors.

A review of methods,applications and limitations for incorporating fluid flow in the discrete element method

The past decade has witnessed the substantial growth in research interests and progress on the subject of coupled hydro-mechanical processes in rocks and soils,driven mainly by the surge of research in unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs and associated hazards.Many coupling techniques have been developed to include the effects of fluid flow in the discrete element method(DEM),and the techniques have been applied to a variety of geomechanical problems.Although these coupling methods have been successfully applied in various engineering fields,no single fluid/DEM coupling method is universal due to the complexity of engineering problems and the limitations of the numerical methods.For researchers and engineers,the key to solve a specific problem is to select the most appropriate fluid/DEM coupling method among these modeling technologies.The purpose of this paper is to give a comprehensive review of fluid flow/DEM coupling methods and relevant research.Given their importance,the availability or unavailability of best practice guidelines is outlined.The theoretical background and current status of DEM are introduced first,and the principles,applications,and advantages and disadvantages of different fluid flow/DEM coupling methods are discussed.Finally,a summary with speculation on future development trends is given.

Predicting the Dynamic Behavior of Asphalt Concrete Using Three-dimensional Discrete Element Method

A user-defined three-dimensional （3D） discrete element model was presented to predict the dynamic modulus and phase angle of asphalt concrete （AC）. The 3D discrete element method （DEM） model of AC was constructed employing a user-defined computer program developed using the ＂Fish＂ language in PFC3D. Important microstructural features of AC were modeled, including aggregate gradation, air voids and mastic. The irregular shape of aggregate particle was modeled using a clump of spheres. The developed model was validated through comparing with experimental measurements and then used to simulate the cyclic uniaxial compression test, based on which the dynamic modulus and phase angle were calculated from the output stress- strain relationship. The effects of air void content, aggregate stiffness and volumetric fraction on AC modulus were further investigated. The experimental results show that the 3D DEM model is able to accurately predict both dynamic modulus and phase angle of AC across a range of temperature and loading frequencies. The user- defined 3D model also demonstrated significant improvement over the general existing two-dimensional models.

Dynamic Analysis of Deep-Ocean Mining Pipe System by Discrete Element Method

The dynamic analysis of a pipe system is one of the most crucial problems for the entire mining system. A discrete element method （DEM） is proposed for the analysis of a deep-ocean mining pipe system, including the lift pipe, pump, buffer and flexible hose. By the discrete element method, the pipe is divided into some rigid elements that are linked by flexible connectors. First, two examples representing static analysis and dynamic analysis respectively are given to show that the DEM model is feasible. Then the three-dimensional DEM model is used for dynamic analysis of the mining pipe system. The dynamic motions of the entire mining pipe system under different work conditions are discussed. Some suggestions are made for the actual operation of deep-ocean mining systems.

Computational fluid dynamics simulations of respiratory airflow in human nasal cavity and its characteristic dimension study

To study the airflow distribution in human nasal cavity during respiration and the characteristic parameters of nasal structure, three-dimensional, anatomically accurate representations of 30 adult nasal cavity models were recons- tructed based on processed tomography images collected from normal people. The airflow fields in nasal cavities were simulated by fluid dynamics with finite element software ANSYS. The results showed that the difference of human nasal cavity structure led to different airflow distribution in the nasal cavities and variation of the main airstream passing through the common nasal meatus. The nasal resistance in the regions of nasal valve and nasal vestibule accounted for more than half of the overall resistance. The characteristic model of nasal cavity was extracted on the basis of characteristic points and dimensions deduced from the original models. It showed that either the geometric structure or the airflow field of the two kinds of models was similar. The characteristic dimensions were the characteristic parameters of nasal cavity that could properly represent the original model in model studies on nasal cavity.

MatDEM-fast matrix computing of the discrete element method

Discrete element method can effectively simulate the discontinuity,inhomogeneity and large deformation and failure of rock and soil.Based on the innovative matrix computing of the discrete element method,the highperformance discrete element software MatDEM may handle millions of elements in one computer,and enables the discrete element simulation at the engineering scale.It supports heat calculation,multi-field and fluidsolid coupling numerical simulations.Furthermore,the software integrates pre-processing,solver,postprocessing,and powerful secondary development,allowing recompiling new discrete element software.The basic principles of the DEM,the implement and development of the MatDEM software,and its applications are introduced in this paper.The software and sample source code are available online(http://matdem.com).

MIXED COMPATIBLE ELEMENT AND MIXED HYBRID INCOMPATIBLE ELEMENT VARIATIONAL METHODS IN DYNAMICS OF VISCOUS BAROTROPIC FLUIDS

This paper presents and proves the mixed compatible finite element variationalprinciples in dynamics of viscous barotropic fluids. When the principles are proved, itis found that the compatibility conditions of stress can be naturally satisfied. The gene-rallzed variational principles with mixed hybrid incompatible finite elements are alsopresented and proved, and they can reduce the computation of incompatible elements indynamics of viscous barotropic flows.

GPU-Based Simulation of Dynamic Characteristics of Ballasted Railway Track with Coupled Discrete-Finite Element Method

Considering the interaction between a sleeper,ballast layer,and substructure,a three-dimensional coupled discrete-finite element method for a ballasted railway track is proposed in this study.Ballast granules with irregular shapes are constructed using a clump model using the discrete element method.Meanwhile,concrete sleepers,embankments,and foundations are modelled using 20-node hexahedron solid elements using the finite element method.To improve computational efficiency,a GPU-based(Graphics Processing Unit)parallel framework is applied in the discrete element simulation.Additionally,an algorithm containing contact search and transfer parameters at the contact interface of discrete particles and finite elements is developed in the GPU parallel environment accordingly.A benchmark case is selected to verify the accuracy of the coupling algorithm.The dynamic response of the ballasted rail track is analysed under different train speeds and loads.Meanwhile,the dynamic stress on the substructure surface obtained by the established DEM-FEM model is compared with the in situ experimental results.Finally,stress and displacement contours in the cross-section of the model are constructed to further visualise the response of the ballasted railway.This proposed coupling model can provide important insights into high-performance coupling algorithms and the dynamic characteristics of full scale ballasted rail tracks.

Dynamic discrete element method and its application in rock mass engineering

Based on conventional discrete element method, the idea and calculating method of dynamic discrete element (DDEM) was proposed, and a relevant program was developed. The application of the method is presented in rock mechanics and engineering, which indicates that the method can be widely used in dynamic response and stability analysis of jointed rockmass under dynamic load. [

Geo-engineered buffer capacity of two-layered absorbing system under the impact of rock avalanches based on Discrete Element Method

Many rock avalanches were triggered by the Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, 2008 in southwest China. Protection galleries covered with a single soil layer are usually used to protect against rockfall. Since one-layer protection galleries do not have sufficient buffer capacity, a two-layered absorbing system has been designed. This study aims to find whether an expanded poly-styrol （EPS） cushion, which is used in the soil-covered protection galleries for shock absorption, could be positioned under dynamic loadings. The dynamic impacts of the two-layered absorbing system under the conditions of rock avalanches are numerically simulated through a 2D discrete dement method. By selecting reasonable parameters, a series of numerical experiments were conducted to find the best combination for the two- layered absorbing system. The values of the EPS layer area as a percentage of the total area were set as 0% （Sl）, 22~ （S2）, and 70% （$3）. 22~ of the area of the EPS layer was found to be a reasonable value, and experiments were conducted to find the best position of the EPS layer in the two-layered absorbing system. The numerical results yield useful conclusions regarding the interaction between the impacting avalanches and the two-layered absorbing system. The soil layer can absorb the shock energy effectively and S2 （0.4-m thick EPS cushion covered with soil layer） is the most efficient combination, which can reduce the impact force, compared with the other combinations.

An RKDG finite element method for the one-dimensional inviscid compressible gas dynamics equations in a Lagrangian coordinate

In this paper,Runge-Kutta Discontinuous Galerkin（RKDG） finite element method is presented to solve the onedimensional inviscid compressible gas dynamic equations in a Lagrangian coordinate.The equations are discretized by the DG method in space and the temporal discretization is accomplished by the total variation diminishing Runge-Kutta method.A limiter based on the characteristic field decomposition is applied to maintain stability and non-oscillatory property of the RKDG method.For multi-medium fluid simulation,the two cells adjacent to the interface are treated differently from other cells.At first,a linear Riemann solver is applied to calculate the numerical ？ux at the interface.Numerical examples show that there is some oscillation in the vicinity of the interface.Then a nonlinear Riemann solver based on the characteristic formulation of the equation and the discontinuity relations is adopted to calculate the numerical ？ux at the interface,which suppresses the oscillation successfully.Several single-medium and multi-medium fluid examples are given to demonstrate the reliability and efficiency of the algorithm.

PENALTY FINITE ELEMENT METHOD FOR NONLINEAR DYNAMIC RESPONSE OF VISCOUS FLUID-SATURATED BIPHASE POROUS MEDIA

The governing equations as well as boundary land initial conditions for nonlinear dynamic response problems of viscous fluid-saturated biphase porous medium model, based on mixture theory, are presented. With Galerkin weighted residual method the corresponding nonlinear dynamic penalty finite element equation, in which the dependencies of volume fraction and permeation coefficients an deformation are included, is obtained. The iteration solution method of the nonlinear system equation is also discussed. As a numerical example, the dynamic response of a porous medium column under impulsive loading action is analyzed with the developed finite element program. The numerical results demonstrate the efficiency and correctness of the method.

Analysis of gas-solid flow and shaft-injected gas distribution in an oxygen blast furnace using a discrete element method and computational fluid dynamics coupled model

lronmaking using an oxygen blast furnace is an attractive approach for reducing energy consumption in the iron and steel industry. This paper presents a numerical study of gas-solid flow in an oxygen blast fur- nace by coupling the discrete element method with computational fluid dynamics. The model reliability was verified by previous experimental results. The influences of particle diameter, shaft tuyere size, and specific ratio （X） of shaft-injected gas （51G） flowrate to total gas flowrate on the SIC penetration behavior and pressure field in the furnace were investigated. The results showed that gas penetration capacity in the furnace gradually decreased as the particle diameter decreased from 100 to 40 mm. Decreasing particle diameter and increasing shaft tuyere size both slightly increased the SIG concentration near the furnace wall but decreased it at the furnace center. The value of X has a significant impact on the SIG distribution. According to the pressure fields obtained under different conditions, the key factor affecting SIG penetration depth is the pressure difference between the upper and lower levels of the shaft tuyere. If the pressure difference is small, the SIG can easily penetrate to the furnace center.

Transient analysis of 1D inhomogeneous media by dynamic inhomogeneous finite element method

The dynamic inhomogeneous finite element method is studied for use in the transient analysis of one dimensional inhomogeneous media. The general formula of the inhomogeneous consistent mass matrix is established based on the shape function. In order to research the advantages of this method, it is compared with the general finite element method. A linear bar element is chosen for the discretization tests of material parameters with two fictitious distributions. And, a numerical example is solved to observe the differences in the results between these two methods. Some characteristics of the dynamic inhomogeneous finite element method that demonstrate its advantages are obtained through comparison with the general finite element method. It is found that the method can be used to solve elastic wave motion problems with a large element scale and a large number of iteration steps.