Numerical model of sedimentation/thickening with inertial effects

A numerical model of gravity sedimentation and thickening was developed fro m the governing two-phase flow equations for the liquid and solid phases. T he inertial and gravity terms in the solid and liquid momentum equations we re retained in the gravity sedimentation and thickening model. An implicit, space-staggered finite-difference algorithm was developed for the resultin g coupled partial differential equations. Constitutive relationships descri bing the physical properties of the slurry were required to solve the numer ical model. These constitutive properties describing the relationship betwe en effective stress and porosity and between permeability and porosity were determined experimentally and by model calibration. The model was calibrat ed and verified using the data of dynamic porosity profiles of gravity sedi mentation and thickening of kaolin suspensions in distilled water.