Sediment flow in inclined vessels calculated using a multiphase particle-in-cell model for dense particle flows

Sedimentation of particles in an inclined vessel is predicted using a two-d imensional, incompressible? multiphase particle-in-cell (MP-PIC) method. Th e numerical technique solves the governing equations of the fluid phase usi ng a continuum model and those of the particle phase using a Lagrangian mod el. Mapping particle properties to an Eulerian grid and then mapping back c omputed stress tensors to particle positions allows a complete solution of sedimentation from a dilute mixture to close-pack. The solution scheme allo ws for distributions of types, sizes and density of particles, with no nume rical diffusion from the Lagrangian particle calculations. The MP-PIC solut ion method captures the physics of inclined sedimentation which includes th e clarified fluid layer under the upper wall, a dense mixture layer above t he bottom wall, and instabilities which produce waves at the clarified flui d and suspension interface. Measured and calculated sedimentation rates are in good agreement. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.