(55b) Erosion Prediction of Process Equipment Using CFD-DEM Simulation

Problems caused by wear have significant influence on the normal operation of the process equipment in chemical, mining, energy, and agricultural industries. An accurate and efficient numerical method for predicting wear can significantly reduce design time and cost. In this study, a new erosion model referred to as SIEM (Shear Impact Energy Model), which connects the shear impact energy with the volume loss of the surface during impact, was proposed for DEM (Discrete Element Method). Combined with CFD-DEM (Computational Fluid Dynamics and Discrete Element Method) coupling method, the model was employed to predict erosion in various devices confronting both dense and dilute solid phase, including the immersed tubes in fluidized bed, the elbow, and the cyclone. The accuracy of this approach has been validated against corresponding experiment. Based on the micro scale information offered by this approach, efforts have been made to further study wear in the process equipment, such as the wear distribution and rate under various conditions, to deepen the understanding of solid-particle erosion.