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Modeling Multiphase Flows
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Outline
 Definitions; Examples of flow regimes
 Description of multiphase models in FLUENT 5 and FLUENT 4.5
 How to choose the correct model for your application
 Summary and guidelines
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Definitions
 Multiphase flow is simultaneous flow of
 Matters with different phases( i.e. gas, liquid or solid).
 Matters with different chemical substances but with the same phase (i.e. liquid-
liquid like oil-water).
 Primary and secondary phases
 One of the phases is considered continuous (primary) and others (secondary) are
considered to be dispersed within the continuous phase.
 A diameter has to be assigned for each secondary phase to calculate its interaction
(drag) with the primary phase (except for VOF model).
 Dilute phase vs. Dense phase;
 Refers to the volume fraction of secondary phase(s)

Volume fraction of a phase =
Volume of the phase in a cell/domain
Volume of the cell/domain
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Flow Regimes
 Multiphase flow can be classified by the
following regimes:
 Bubbly flow: Discrete gaseous or fluid
bubbles in a continuous fluid
 Droplet flow: Discrete fluid droplets in a
continuous gas
 Particle-laden flow: Discrete solid particles
in a continuous fluid
 Slug flow: Large bubbles (nearly filling
cross-section) in a continuous fluid
 Annular flow: Continuous fluid along walls,
gas in center
 Stratified/free-surface flow: Immiscible
fluids separated by a clearly-defined interface
bubbly flow
droplet flow
particle-laden flow
slug flow
annular flow free-surface flow
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Flow Regimes
 User must know a priori what the flow field looks like:
 Flow regime,
 bubbly flow , slug flow, etc.
 Model one flow regime at a time.
– Multiple flow regime can be predicted if they are predicted by one
model e.g. slug flow and annular flow may coexist since both are
predicted by VOF model.
 turbulent or laminar,
 dilute or dense,
 bubble or particle diameter (mainly for drag considerations).
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Multiphase Models
 Four models for multiphase flows currently available in structured
FLUENT 4.5
 Lagrangian dispersed phase model (DPM)
 Eulerian Eulerian model
 Eulerian Granular model
 Volume of fluid (VOF) model
 Unstructured FLUENT 5
 Lagrangian dispersed phase model (DPM)
 Volume of fluid model (VOF)
 Algebraic Slip Mixture Model (ASMM)
 Cavitation Model
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Dispersed Phase Model
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Dispersed Phase Model
 Appropriate for modeling particles, droplets, or bubbles
dispersed (at low volume fraction; less than 10%) in
continuous fluid phase:
 Spray dryers
 Coal and liquid fuel combustion
 Some particle-laden flows
 Computes trajectories of particle (or droplet or bubble)
streams in continuous phase.
 Computes heat, mass, and momentum transfer between
dispersed and continuous phases.
 Neglects particle-particle interaction.
 Particles loading can be as high as fluid loading
 Computes steady and unsteady (FLUENT 5) particle tracks.
Particle trajectories in a spray dryer
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 Particle trajectories computed by solving equations of motion of the
particle in Lagrangian reference frame:
where represents additional forces due to:
 virtual mass and pressure gradients
 rotating reference frames
 temperature gradients
 Brownian motion (FLUENT 5)
 Saffman lift (FLUENT 5)
 user defined
Particle Trajectory Calculations
p
p
p
p
p
F
g
u
u
f
dt
u
d


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)
(
drag










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Coupling Between Phases
 One-Way Coupling
 Fluid phase influences particulate phase via drag and turbulence transfer.
 Particulate phase have no influence on the gas phase.
 Two-Way Coupling
 Fluid phase influences particulate phase via drag and turbulence transfer.
 Particulate phase influences fluid phase via source terms of mass,
momentum, and energy.
 Examples include:
 Inert particle heating and cooling
 Droplet evaporation
 Droplet boiling
 Devolatilization
 Surface combustion
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 To determine impact of dispersed phase on continuous phase flow
field, coupled calculation procedure is used:
 Procedure is repeated until both flow fields are unchanged.
DPM: Calculation Procedure
continuous phase
flow field calculation
particle trajectory
calculation
interphase heat, mass, and
momentum exchange
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Turbulent Dispersion of Particles
 Dispersion of particle due to turbulent fluctuations in the flow can be
modeled using either:
 Discrete Random Walk Tracking (stochastic approach)
 Particle Cloud Tracking
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User Defined Function Access in DPM
 User defined functions (UDF’s) are provided for access to the discrete
phase model. Functions are provided for user defined:
 drag
 external force
 laws for reacting particles and droplets
 customized switching between laws
 output for sample planes
 erosion/accretion rates
 access to particle definition at injection time
 scalars associated with each particle and access at each particle time step
(possible to integrate scalar variables over life of particle)
FLUENT 5
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Eulerian-Eulerian Multiphase Model
FLUENT 4.5
10s 70s 120s
water
air
Becker et al. 1992
Locally Aerated Bubble Column
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Eulerian Multiphase Model
 Appropriate for modeling gas-liquid or
liquid-liquid flows (droplets or bubbles of
secondary phase(s) dispersed in continuous
fluid phase (primary phase)) where:
 Phases mix or separate
 Bubble/droplet volume fractions from 0 to
100%
 Evaporation
 Boiling
 Separators
 Aeration
 Inappropriate for modeling stratified or free-
surface flows.
Volume fraction
of water
Stream function
contours for water
Boiling water in a container
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Eulerian Multiphase Model
 Solves momentum, enthalpy, continuity,
and species equations for each phase and
tracks volume fractions.
 Uses a single pressure field for all phases.
 Interaction between mean flow field of
phases is expressed in terms of a drag,
virtual and lift forces.
 Several formulations for drag is provided.
 Alternative drag laws can be formulated
via UDS.
 Other forces can be applied through UDS. Gas sparger in a mixing tank:
contours of volume fraction
with velocity vectors
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Eulerian Multiphase Model
 Can solve for multiple species and homogeneous reactions in each
phase.
 Heterogeneous reactions can be done through UDS.
 Allows for heat and mass transfer between phases.
 Turbulence models for dilute and dense phase regimes.
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Mass Transfer
 Evaporation/Condensation.
 For liquid temperatures  saturation temperature, evaporation rate:
 For vapor temperatures  saturation temperature, condensation rate:
 User specifies saturation temperature and, if desired, “time relaxation
parameters” rl and rv . (Wen Ho Lee (1979))
 Unidirectional mass transfer, is constant
 User Defined Subroutine for mass transfer
 
sat
sat
l
l
l
v
v
T
T
T
r
m




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sat
v
sat
v
v
l
l
T
T
T
r
m





1
2
12 

r
m 

r
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Eulerian Multiphase Model: Turbulence
 Time averaging is needed to obtain smoothed quantities from the space
averaged instantaneous equations.
 Two methods available for modeling turbulence in multiphase flows
within context of standard k-model:
 Dispersed turbulence model (default) appropriate when both of these
conditions are met:
 Number of phases is limited to two:
 Continuous (primary) phase
 Dispersed (secondary) phase
 Secondary phase must be dilute.
 Secondary turbulence model appropriate for turbulent multiphase flows
involving more than two phases or a non-dilute secondary phase.
 Choice of model depends on importance of secondary-phase turbulence
in your application.
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Eulerian Granular Multiphase Model:
FLUENT 4.5
Volume fraction of air
2D fluidized bed with a central jet
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Eulerian Granular Multiphase Model:
 Extension of Eulerian-Eulerian model for flow of granular
particles (secondary phases) in a fluid (primary)phase
 Appropriate for modeling:
 Fluidized beds
 Risers
 Pneumatic lines
 Hoppers, standpipes
 Particle-laden flows in which:
 Phases mix or separate
 Granular volume fractions can vary from 0 to packing limit
Circulating fluidized bed, Tsuo and Gidaspow
(1990).
Solid velocity profiles Contours of solid
volume fraction
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Eulerian Granular Multiphase Model:
Overview
 The fluid phase must be assigned as the primary phase.
 Multiple solid phase can be used to represent size distribution.
 Can calculate granular temperature (solids fluctuating energy) for each
solid phase.
 Calculates a solids pressure field for each solid phase.
 All phases share fluid pressure field.
 Solids pressure controls the solids packing limit
 Solids pressure, granular temperature conductivity, shear and bulk
viscosity can be derived based on several kinetic theory formulations.
 Gidaspow -good for dense fluidized bed applications
 Syamlal -good for a wide range of applications
 Sinclair -good for dilute and dense pneumatic transport lines and
risers
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Eulerian Granular Multiphase Model
 Frictional viscosity pushes the limit into the plastic regime.
 Hoppers, standpipes
 Several choice of drag laws:
 Drag laws can be modified using UDS.
 Heat transfer between phases is the same as in Eulerian/Eulerian multiphase model.
 Only unidirectional mass transfer model is available.
 Rate of mass transfer can be modified using UDS.
 Homogeneous reaction can be modeled.
 Heterogeneous reaction can be modeled using UDS.
 Can solve for enthalpy and multiple species for each phase.
 Physically based models for solid momentum and granular temperature boundary
conditions at the wall.
 Turbulence treatment is the same as in Eulerian-Eulerian model
 Sinclair model provides additional turbulence model for solid phase
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Algebraic Slip Mixture Model
FLUENT 5
Courtesy of
Fuller Company
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Algebraic Slip Mixture Model
 Can substitute for Eulerian/Eulerian,
Eulerian/Granular and Dispersed phase models
Efficiently for Two phase flow problems:
 Fluid/fluid separation or mixing:
 Sedimentation of uniform size particles in liquid.
 Flow of single size particles in a Cyclone.
 Applicable to relatively small particles
(<50 microns) and low volume fraction (<10%)
when primary phase density is much smaller than
the secondary phase density.
Air-water separation in a Tee junction
Water volume fraction
 If possible, always choose the fluid with higher density as the primary
phase.
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 Solves for the momentum and the continuity equations of the mixture.
 Solves for the transport of volume fraction of secondary phase.
 Uses an algebraic relation to calculate the slip velocity between
phases.
 It can be used for steady and unsteady flow.
is the drag function
ASMM
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)
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drag
f
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Oil-Water Separation
Fluent 5 Results with ASMM Fluent v4.5 Eulerian Multiphase
Courtesy of
Arco Exploration & Production Technology
Dr. Martin de Tezanos Pinto
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Cavitation Model ( Fluent 5)
 Predicts cavitation inception and approximate extension of cavity bubble.
 Solves for the momentum equation of the mixture
 Solves for the continuity equation of the mixture
 Assumes no slip velocity between the phases
 Solves for the transport of volume fraction of vapor phase.
 Approximates the growth of the cavitation bubble using Rayleigh equation
 Needs improvement:
 ability to predict collapse of cavity bubbles
 Needs to solve for enthalpy equation and thermodynamic properties
 Solve for change of bubble size
l
v p
p
dt
dR

3
)
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2 

l
v
v
v p
p
R
m


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3
)
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2
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

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Cavitation model
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VOF Model
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Volume of Fluid Model
 Appropriate for flow where Immiscible
fluids have a clearly defined interface.
 Shape of the interface is of interest
 Typical problems:
 Jet breakup
 Motion of large bubbles in a liquid
 Motion of liquid after a dam break
(shown at right)
 Steady or transient tracking of any
liquid-gas interface
 Inappropriate for:
 Flows involving small (compared to a
control volume) bubbles
 Bubble columns
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Volume Fraction
 Assumes that each control volume contains just one phase (or the
interface between phases).
 For volume fraction of kth
fluid, three conditions are possible:
 k = 0 if cell is empty (of the kth
fluid)
 k = 1 if cell is full (of the kth
fluid)
 0 < k < 1 if cell contains the interface between the fluids
 Tracking of interface(s) between phases is accomplished by solution
of a volume fraction continuity equation for each phase:
Mass transfer between phases can be modeled by using a user-defined
subroutine to specify a nonzero value for Sk
.
 Multiple interfaces can be simulated
 Can not resolve details of the interface smaller than the mesh size





k
j
k
i
k
t
u
x
S
 
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VOF
 Solves one set of momentum equations for all fluids.
 Surface tension and wall adhesion modeled with an additional source term
in momentum eqn.
 For turbulent flows, single set of turbulence transport equations solved.
 Solves for species conservation equations for primary phase .
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j
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j
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i
j
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Formulations of VOF Model
 Time-dependent with a explicit schemes:
 geometric linear slope reconstruction (default in FLUENT 5)
 Donor-acceptor (default in FLUENT 4.5)
 Best scheme for highly skewed hex mesh.
 Euler explicit
 Use for highly skewed hex cells in hybrid meshes if default scheme fails.
 Use higher order discretization scheme for more accuracy.

Example: jet breakup
 Time-dependent with implicit scheme:
 Used to compute steady-state solution when intermediate solution is not important.
 More accurate with higher discretization scheme.
 Final steady-state solution is dependent on initial flow conditions
 There is not a distinct inflow boundary for each phase
 Example: shape of liquid interface in centrifuge
 Steady-state with implicit scheme:
 Used to compute steady-state solution using steady-state method.

More accurate with higher order discretization scheme.
 Must have distinct inflow boundary for each phase
 Example: flow around ship’s hull
Decreasing
Accuracy
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Comparison of Different Front Tracking Algorithms
2nd order upwind Donor - Acceptor
Geometric reconstruction Geometric reconstruction
with tri mesh
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Surface Tension
 Cylinder of water (5 x 1 cm) is surrounded by air in no gravity
 Surface is initially perturbed so that the diameter is 5% larger on ends
 The disturbance at the surface grows because of surface tension
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Wall Adhesion
 Wall adhesion is modeled by specification of contact angle that fluid
makes with wall.
 Large contact angle (> 90°) is applied to water at bottom of container in
zero-gravity field.
 An obtuse angle, as measured in water, will form at walls.
 As water tries to satisfy contact angle condition, it detaches from bottom
and moves slowly upward, forming a bubble.
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Choosing a Multiphase Model:
Fluid-Fluid Flows (1)
 Bubbly flow examples:
 Absorbers
 Evaporators
 Scrubbers
 Air lift pumps
 Droplet flow examples:
 Atomizers
 Gas cooling
 Dryers
 Slug flow examples:
 Large bubble motion in pipes or tanks
 Separated flows
 free surface, annular flows, stratified flows, liquid films
Cavitation
Flotation
Aeration
Nuclear reactors
 Combustors
 Scrubbers
 Cryogenic pumping
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Choosing a Multiphase Model:
Gas-Liquid Flows (2)
Volume fraction Model Comments
Less than 10% DPM
Cavitation
Ignores bubble coalescence or particle-particle interaction.
Inception of cavitation and its approximate extension.
All Values ASMM
Eulerian
Applies to two phase flows only. If density of
primary phase is much less than the density of the
secondary phase, restricts to applications with small
diameter and low volume fraction of the Seconday
phase.
For large bubbles either use Vof or modify the Drag
law. Ignores bubble coalescence or interaction.
All Values VOF Bubbles should span across several cells.Applicable
to separated flows: free surface flows, annular flows,
liquid films, stratified flows.
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Choosing a Multiphase Model:
Particle-Laden Flow
 Examples:
 Cyclones
 Slurry transport
 Flotation
 Circulating bed reactors
 Dust collectors
 Sedimentation
 Suspension
 Fluidized bed reactors
Volume fraction Model Comments
Less than 10% DPM
ASMM
Ignores bubble coalescence or particle-particle
interaction
Only one solid size. More efficient than DPM. For
liquid-solid applications can be used for higher
volume fraction of solids but well below packing
limit.
All values Eulerian
Granular
Solve in a transient manner..
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Solution Guidelines
 All multiphase calculations:
 Start with a single-phase calculation to establish broad flow patterns.
 Eulerian multiphase calculations:
 Use COPY-PHASE-VELOCITIES to copy primary phase velocities to
secondary phases.
 Patch secondary volume fraction(s) as an initial condition.
 For a single outflow, use OUTLET rather than PRESSURE-INLET; for
multiple outflow boundaries, must use PRESSURE-INLET for each.
 For circulating fluidized beds, avoid symmetry planes. (They promote
unphysical cluster formation.)
 Set the “false time step for underrelaxation” to 0.001
 Set normalizing density equal to physical density
 Compute a transient solution
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Solution Strategies (VOF)
 For explicit formulations for best and quick results:
 use geometric reconstruction or donor-acceptor
 use PISO algorithm with under-relaxation factors up to 1.0
 reduce time step if convergence problem arises.
 To ensure continuity, reduce termination criteria to 0.001 for pressure in multi-grid
solver
 solve VOF once per time-step
 For implicit formulations:
 always use QUICK or second order upwind difference scheme for VOF equation.
 may increase VOF UNDER-RELAXATION from 0.2 (default ) to 0.5.
 Use proper reference density to prevent round off errors.
 Use proper pressure interpolation scheme for hydrostatic consideration:
 Body force weighted scheme for all types of cells
 PRESTO (only for quads and hexes)
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Summary
 Modeling multiphase flows is very complex, due to interdependence of
many variables.
 Accuracy of results directly related to appropriateness of model you
choose:
 For most applications with low volume fraction of particles, droplets, or
bubbles, use ASMM or DPM model .
 For particle-laden flows, Eulerian granular multiphase model is best.
 For separated gas-liquid flows (stratified, free-surface, etc.) VOF model is best.
 For general, complex gas-liquid flows involving multiple flow regimes:
 Select aspect of flow that is of most interest.
 Choose model that is most appropriate.
 Accuracy of results will not be as good as for others, since selected physical
model will be valid only for some flow regimes.
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Conservation equations
 Conservation of mass
 Conservation of momentum
 Conservation of enthalpy

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



)
(
1
pq
pq
n
p
pq
h
m
Q 



© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
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Constitutive Equations
 Frictional Flow
 Particles are in enduring contact and momentum transfer is through
friction
 Stresses from soil mechanics, Schaeffer (1987)
 Description of frictional viscosity
 is the second invariant of the deviatoric stress tensor
 
frict
s
kin
s
coll
s
s ,
,
,
,
max 


 

)
0
( 
 s
u

2
,
2
sin
I
Ps
frict
s

 
2
I
© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
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Interphase Forces (cont.)
 Virtual Mass Effect: caused by relative acceleration between phases Drew
and Lahey (1990).
 Virtual mass effect is significant when the second phase density is much smaller
than the primary phase density (i.e., bubble column)
 Lift Force: Caused by the shearing effect of the fluid onto the particle Drew
and Lahey (1990).
 Lift force usually insignificant compared to drag force except when the phases
separate quickly and near boundaries

















 )
(
)
(
, s
s
s
f
f
f
f
s
vm
fs
vm u
u
t
u
u
u
t
u
C
K








)
(
)
(
, f
s
f
f
s
L
fs
k
u
u
u
C
K







 

© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
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Eulerian Multiphase Model: Turbulence
 The transport equations for the model are of the form
 Value of the parameters


k
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
t
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
G
k
k
u
k
t























 )
(

k
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
t
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
k
c
G
c
k
u
t

















 













}
{
)
( 2
1

3
.
1
92
.
1
44
.
1
3
.
1
1
09
.
0
3
2
1 



 
 c
c
c
c k
© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
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Comparison of Drag Laws
Fluid-solid drag functions
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
0.01 0.06 0.12 0.17 0.23 0.28 0.34 0.39 0.45 0.5 0.56
Solids volume fraction
f
Syamlal-O'Brien
Schuh et al.
Gidaspow A
Gidaspow B
Wen and Yu
Di Felice
Fluid-solid drag functions
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
0.01 0.07 0.13 0.19 0.25 0.31 0.37 0.43 0.49 0.55
Solids volume fraction
f
Syamlal-O'Brien
Schuh et al.
Gidaspow A
Gidaspow B
Wen and Yu
Di Felice
Relative Reynolds number 1 and 1000
Particle diameter 0.001 mm
Arastoopour
Arastoopour
© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
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Drag Force Models
Fluid-fluid drag functions
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
10 2460 4910 7360 9810 12260 14710
Re
Cd
Schiller and Naumann
Schuh et al.
Morsi et Alexander
 







1000
Re
44
.
0
1000
Re
Re
15
.
0
1
24 687
.
0
D
C
 
 













2500
Re
4008
.
0
2500
Re
200
Re
/
Re
0135
.
0
Re
914
.
0
24
200
Re
0
Re
15
.
0
1
24
282
.
0
687
.
0
D
C
(Re)
are
,
,
where
Re
Re
3
2
1
2
3
2
1 f
a
a
a
a
a
a
CD 


Schiller and Naumann
Schuh et al.
Morsi and Alexander
© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
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Solution Algorithms for Multiphase Flows
 Coupled solver algorithms (more coupling between phases)
 Faster turn around and more stable numerics
 High order discretization schemes for all phases.
 More accurate results
Implicit/Full Elimination
Algorithm v4.5
Implicit/Full Elimination
Algorithm v4.5
TDMA Coupled
Algorithm v4.5
TDMA Coupled
Algorithm v4.5
Multiphase Flow Solution
Algorithms
Multiphase Flow Solution
Algorithms
Only Eulerian/Eulerian
model
© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Heterogeneous Reactions in FLUENT4.5
 Problem Description
 Two liquid e.g. (L1,L2) react and make solids e.g. (s1,s2)
 Reactions happen within liquid e.g. (L1-->L2)
 Reactions happen within solid e.g. (s1--->s2)
 Solution!
 Consider a two phase liquid (primary) and solid (secondary)
 liquid has two species L1, L2
 solid has two species s1,s2
 Reactions within each phase i.e. (L1-->L2) and (s1-->s2) can be set up as
usual through GUI (like in single phase)
 For heterogeneous reaction e.g. (L1+0.5L2-->0.2s1+s2)
© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
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Heterogeneous Reactions in FLUENT 4.5
 In usrmst.F
 calculate the net mass transfer between phases as a result of reactions
– Reactions could be two ways
 Assign this value to suterm
– If the net mass transfer is from primary to secondary the value
should be negative and vica versa.
 The time step and mass transfer rate should be such that the net volume
fraction change would not be more than 5-10%.
 In urstrm.F
 Adjust the mass fraction of each species by assigning a source or sink
value (+/-) according to mass transfer calculated above.
 Adjust the enthalp of each phase by the net amount of heat of reactions
and enthalpy transfer due to mass transfer. Again this will be in a form of
a source term.
© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
TRN-99-003
Heterogeneous Reactions in FLUENT 4.5
 Compile your version of the code
 Run Fluent and set up the case :
 Enable time dependent, multiphase, temperature and species calculations.
 Define phases
 Enable mass transfer and multi-component multi-species option.
 Define species, homogeneous reactions within each phases
 Define properties
 Enable user defined mass transfer
GOOD LUCK!!
© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
TRN-99-003
Particle size
Descriptive terms Size range Example
Coarse solid 5 - 100 mm coal
Granular solid 0.3 - 5 mm sugar
Coarse powder 100-300 m salt, sand
Fine powder 10-100 m FCC catalyst
Super fine powder 1-10 m face powder
Ultra fine powder ~1 m paint pigments
Nano Particles ~1e-3 m molecules
© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
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Discrete Random Walk Tracking
 Each injection is tracked repeatedly in order to generate a statistically
meaningful sampling.
 Turbulent fluctuation in the flow field are represented by defining an
instantaneous fluid velocity:
where is derived from the local turbulence parameters:
and is a normally distributed random number
 Mass flow rates and exchange source terms for each injection are
divided equally among the multiple stochastic tracks.
i
i
i u
u
u '


i
u'
3
2
' k
i
u 


© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
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Cloud Tracking
 The particle cloud model uses statistical methods to trace the turbulent
dispersion of particles about a mean trajectory. The mean trajectory is
calculated from the ensemble average of the equations of motion for
the particles represented in the cloud. The distribution of particles
inside the cloud is represented by a Gaussian probability density
function.
© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
TRN-99-003
Stochastic vs. Cloud Tracking
 Stochastic tracking:
 Accounts for local variations in flow properties such as temperature,
velocity, and species concentrations.
 Requires a large number of stochastic tries in order to achieve a statistically
significant sampling (function of grid density).
 Insufficient number of stochastic tries results in convergence problems and
non-smooth particle concentrations and coupling source term distributions.
 Recommended for use in complex geometry
 Cloud tracking:
 Local variations in flow properties (e.g. temperature) get averaged away
inside the particle cloud.
 Smooth distributions of particle concentrations and coupling source terms.
 Each diameter size requires its own cloud trajectory calculation.
© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
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Granular Flow Regimes
Elastic Regime Plastic Regime Viscous Regime
Stagnant Slow flow Rapid flow
Stress is strain Strain rate Strain rate
dependent independent
dependent
Elasticity Soil mechanics Kinetic theory
© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
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Flow regimes
© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
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Eulerian Multiphase Model: Heat Transfer
 Rate of energy transfer between phases is
function of temperature difference between
phases:
 Hpq (= Hqp) is heat transfer coefficient between
pth
phase and qth
phase.
 Can be modified using UDS.
 
Q H T T
pq pq p q
 
Boiling water in a container:
contours of water temperature
© Fluent Inc. 12/26/25
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Fluent Software Training
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Sample Planes and Particle Histograms
 As particles pass through
sample planes (lines in 2-D),
their properties (position,
velocity, etc.) are written to
files. These files can then be
read into the histogram
plotting tool to plot
histograms of residence time
and distributions of particle
properties. The particle
property mean and standard
deviation are also reported.

Introygffhhffduction_to_Aerodynamics1.pptx

  • 1.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 1 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Modeling Multiphase Flows
  • 2.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 2 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Outline  Definitions; Examples of flow regimes  Description of multiphase models in FLUENT 5 and FLUENT 4.5  How to choose the correct model for your application  Summary and guidelines
  • 3.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 3 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Definitions  Multiphase flow is simultaneous flow of  Matters with different phases( i.e. gas, liquid or solid).  Matters with different chemical substances but with the same phase (i.e. liquid- liquid like oil-water).  Primary and secondary phases  One of the phases is considered continuous (primary) and others (secondary) are considered to be dispersed within the continuous phase.  A diameter has to be assigned for each secondary phase to calculate its interaction (drag) with the primary phase (except for VOF model).  Dilute phase vs. Dense phase;  Refers to the volume fraction of secondary phase(s)  Volume fraction of a phase = Volume of the phase in a cell/domain Volume of the cell/domain
  • 4.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 4 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Flow Regimes  Multiphase flow can be classified by the following regimes:  Bubbly flow: Discrete gaseous or fluid bubbles in a continuous fluid  Droplet flow: Discrete fluid droplets in a continuous gas  Particle-laden flow: Discrete solid particles in a continuous fluid  Slug flow: Large bubbles (nearly filling cross-section) in a continuous fluid  Annular flow: Continuous fluid along walls, gas in center  Stratified/free-surface flow: Immiscible fluids separated by a clearly-defined interface bubbly flow droplet flow particle-laden flow slug flow annular flow free-surface flow
  • 5.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 5 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Flow Regimes  User must know a priori what the flow field looks like:  Flow regime,  bubbly flow , slug flow, etc.  Model one flow regime at a time. – Multiple flow regime can be predicted if they are predicted by one model e.g. slug flow and annular flow may coexist since both are predicted by VOF model.  turbulent or laminar,  dilute or dense,  bubble or particle diameter (mainly for drag considerations).
  • 6.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 6 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Multiphase Models  Four models for multiphase flows currently available in structured FLUENT 4.5  Lagrangian dispersed phase model (DPM)  Eulerian Eulerian model  Eulerian Granular model  Volume of fluid (VOF) model  Unstructured FLUENT 5  Lagrangian dispersed phase model (DPM)  Volume of fluid model (VOF)  Algebraic Slip Mixture Model (ASMM)  Cavitation Model
  • 7.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 7 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Dispersed Phase Model
  • 8.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 8 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Dispersed Phase Model  Appropriate for modeling particles, droplets, or bubbles dispersed (at low volume fraction; less than 10%) in continuous fluid phase:  Spray dryers  Coal and liquid fuel combustion  Some particle-laden flows  Computes trajectories of particle (or droplet or bubble) streams in continuous phase.  Computes heat, mass, and momentum transfer between dispersed and continuous phases.  Neglects particle-particle interaction.  Particles loading can be as high as fluid loading  Computes steady and unsteady (FLUENT 5) particle tracks. Particle trajectories in a spray dryer
  • 9.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 9 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003  Particle trajectories computed by solving equations of motion of the particle in Lagrangian reference frame: where represents additional forces due to:  virtual mass and pressure gradients  rotating reference frames  temperature gradients  Brownian motion (FLUENT 5)  Saffman lift (FLUENT 5)  user defined Particle Trajectory Calculations p p p p p F g u u f dt u d     / / ) ( ) ( drag          
  • 10.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 10 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Coupling Between Phases  One-Way Coupling  Fluid phase influences particulate phase via drag and turbulence transfer.  Particulate phase have no influence on the gas phase.  Two-Way Coupling  Fluid phase influences particulate phase via drag and turbulence transfer.  Particulate phase influences fluid phase via source terms of mass, momentum, and energy.  Examples include:  Inert particle heating and cooling  Droplet evaporation  Droplet boiling  Devolatilization  Surface combustion
  • 11.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 11 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003  To determine impact of dispersed phase on continuous phase flow field, coupled calculation procedure is used:  Procedure is repeated until both flow fields are unchanged. DPM: Calculation Procedure continuous phase flow field calculation particle trajectory calculation interphase heat, mass, and momentum exchange
  • 12.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 12 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Turbulent Dispersion of Particles  Dispersion of particle due to turbulent fluctuations in the flow can be modeled using either:  Discrete Random Walk Tracking (stochastic approach)  Particle Cloud Tracking
  • 13.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 13 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 User Defined Function Access in DPM  User defined functions (UDF’s) are provided for access to the discrete phase model. Functions are provided for user defined:  drag  external force  laws for reacting particles and droplets  customized switching between laws  output for sample planes  erosion/accretion rates  access to particle definition at injection time  scalars associated with each particle and access at each particle time step (possible to integrate scalar variables over life of particle) FLUENT 5
  • 14.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 14 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Eulerian-Eulerian Multiphase Model FLUENT 4.5 10s 70s 120s water air Becker et al. 1992 Locally Aerated Bubble Column
  • 15.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 15 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Eulerian Multiphase Model  Appropriate for modeling gas-liquid or liquid-liquid flows (droplets or bubbles of secondary phase(s) dispersed in continuous fluid phase (primary phase)) where:  Phases mix or separate  Bubble/droplet volume fractions from 0 to 100%  Evaporation  Boiling  Separators  Aeration  Inappropriate for modeling stratified or free- surface flows. Volume fraction of water Stream function contours for water Boiling water in a container
  • 16.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 16 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Eulerian Multiphase Model  Solves momentum, enthalpy, continuity, and species equations for each phase and tracks volume fractions.  Uses a single pressure field for all phases.  Interaction between mean flow field of phases is expressed in terms of a drag, virtual and lift forces.  Several formulations for drag is provided.  Alternative drag laws can be formulated via UDS.  Other forces can be applied through UDS. Gas sparger in a mixing tank: contours of volume fraction with velocity vectors
  • 17.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 17 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Eulerian Multiphase Model  Can solve for multiple species and homogeneous reactions in each phase.  Heterogeneous reactions can be done through UDS.  Allows for heat and mass transfer between phases.  Turbulence models for dilute and dense phase regimes.
  • 18.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 18 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Mass Transfer  Evaporation/Condensation.  For liquid temperatures  saturation temperature, evaporation rate:  For vapor temperatures  saturation temperature, condensation rate:  User specifies saturation temperature and, if desired, “time relaxation parameters” rl and rv . (Wen Ho Lee (1979))  Unidirectional mass transfer, is constant  User Defined Subroutine for mass transfer   sat sat l l l v v T T T r m        sat v sat v v l l T T T r m      1 2 12   r m   r
  • 19.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 19 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Eulerian Multiphase Model: Turbulence  Time averaging is needed to obtain smoothed quantities from the space averaged instantaneous equations.  Two methods available for modeling turbulence in multiphase flows within context of standard k-model:  Dispersed turbulence model (default) appropriate when both of these conditions are met:  Number of phases is limited to two:  Continuous (primary) phase  Dispersed (secondary) phase  Secondary phase must be dilute.  Secondary turbulence model appropriate for turbulent multiphase flows involving more than two phases or a non-dilute secondary phase.  Choice of model depends on importance of secondary-phase turbulence in your application.
  • 20.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 20 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Eulerian Granular Multiphase Model: FLUENT 4.5 Volume fraction of air 2D fluidized bed with a central jet
  • 21.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 21 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Eulerian Granular Multiphase Model:  Extension of Eulerian-Eulerian model for flow of granular particles (secondary phases) in a fluid (primary)phase  Appropriate for modeling:  Fluidized beds  Risers  Pneumatic lines  Hoppers, standpipes  Particle-laden flows in which:  Phases mix or separate  Granular volume fractions can vary from 0 to packing limit Circulating fluidized bed, Tsuo and Gidaspow (1990). Solid velocity profiles Contours of solid volume fraction
  • 22.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 22 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Eulerian Granular Multiphase Model: Overview  The fluid phase must be assigned as the primary phase.  Multiple solid phase can be used to represent size distribution.  Can calculate granular temperature (solids fluctuating energy) for each solid phase.  Calculates a solids pressure field for each solid phase.  All phases share fluid pressure field.  Solids pressure controls the solids packing limit  Solids pressure, granular temperature conductivity, shear and bulk viscosity can be derived based on several kinetic theory formulations.  Gidaspow -good for dense fluidized bed applications  Syamlal -good for a wide range of applications  Sinclair -good for dilute and dense pneumatic transport lines and risers
  • 23.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 23 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Eulerian Granular Multiphase Model  Frictional viscosity pushes the limit into the plastic regime.  Hoppers, standpipes  Several choice of drag laws:  Drag laws can be modified using UDS.  Heat transfer between phases is the same as in Eulerian/Eulerian multiphase model.  Only unidirectional mass transfer model is available.  Rate of mass transfer can be modified using UDS.  Homogeneous reaction can be modeled.  Heterogeneous reaction can be modeled using UDS.  Can solve for enthalpy and multiple species for each phase.  Physically based models for solid momentum and granular temperature boundary conditions at the wall.  Turbulence treatment is the same as in Eulerian-Eulerian model  Sinclair model provides additional turbulence model for solid phase
  • 24.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 24 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Algebraic Slip Mixture Model FLUENT 5 Courtesy of Fuller Company
  • 25.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 25 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Algebraic Slip Mixture Model  Can substitute for Eulerian/Eulerian, Eulerian/Granular and Dispersed phase models Efficiently for Two phase flow problems:  Fluid/fluid separation or mixing:  Sedimentation of uniform size particles in liquid.  Flow of single size particles in a Cyclone.  Applicable to relatively small particles (<50 microns) and low volume fraction (<10%) when primary phase density is much smaller than the secondary phase density. Air-water separation in a Tee junction Water volume fraction  If possible, always choose the fluid with higher density as the primary phase.
  • 26.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 26 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003  Solves for the momentum and the continuity equations of the mixture.  Solves for the transport of volume fraction of secondary phase.  Uses an algebraic relation to calculate the slip velocity between phases.  It can be used for steady and unsteady flow. is the drag function ASMM p rel a u     )) ( ( t u u u g a m m m             drag f p p m p f d     18 ) ( 2   drag f
  • 27.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 27 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Oil-Water Separation Fluent 5 Results with ASMM Fluent v4.5 Eulerian Multiphase Courtesy of Arco Exploration & Production Technology Dr. Martin de Tezanos Pinto
  • 28.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 28 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Cavitation Model ( Fluent 5)  Predicts cavitation inception and approximate extension of cavity bubble.  Solves for the momentum equation of the mixture  Solves for the continuity equation of the mixture  Assumes no slip velocity between the phases  Solves for the transport of volume fraction of vapor phase.  Approximates the growth of the cavitation bubble using Rayleigh equation  Needs improvement:  ability to predict collapse of cavity bubbles  Needs to solve for enthalpy equation and thermodynamic properties  Solve for change of bubble size l v p p dt dR  3 ) ( 2   l v v v p p R m    3 ) ( 2 3   
  • 29.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 29 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Cavitation model
  • 30.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 30 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 VOF Model
  • 31.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 31 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Volume of Fluid Model  Appropriate for flow where Immiscible fluids have a clearly defined interface.  Shape of the interface is of interest  Typical problems:  Jet breakup  Motion of large bubbles in a liquid  Motion of liquid after a dam break (shown at right)  Steady or transient tracking of any liquid-gas interface  Inappropriate for:  Flows involving small (compared to a control volume) bubbles  Bubble columns
  • 32.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 32 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Volume Fraction  Assumes that each control volume contains just one phase (or the interface between phases).  For volume fraction of kth fluid, three conditions are possible:  k = 0 if cell is empty (of the kth fluid)  k = 1 if cell is full (of the kth fluid)  0 < k < 1 if cell contains the interface between the fluids  Tracking of interface(s) between phases is accomplished by solution of a volume fraction continuity equation for each phase: Mass transfer between phases can be modeled by using a user-defined subroutine to specify a nonzero value for Sk .  Multiple interfaces can be simulated  Can not resolve details of the interface smaller than the mesh size      k j k i k t u x S  
  • 33.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 33 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 VOF  Solves one set of momentum equations for all fluids.  Surface tension and wall adhesion modeled with an additional source term in momentum eqn.  For turbulent flows, single set of turbulence transport equations solved.  Solves for species conservation equations for primary phase . j j i j j i i j j i i j F g x u x u x x P u u x u t                        ) ( ) ( ) (
  • 34.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 34 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Formulations of VOF Model  Time-dependent with a explicit schemes:  geometric linear slope reconstruction (default in FLUENT 5)  Donor-acceptor (default in FLUENT 4.5)  Best scheme for highly skewed hex mesh.  Euler explicit  Use for highly skewed hex cells in hybrid meshes if default scheme fails.  Use higher order discretization scheme for more accuracy.  Example: jet breakup  Time-dependent with implicit scheme:  Used to compute steady-state solution when intermediate solution is not important.  More accurate with higher discretization scheme.  Final steady-state solution is dependent on initial flow conditions  There is not a distinct inflow boundary for each phase  Example: shape of liquid interface in centrifuge  Steady-state with implicit scheme:  Used to compute steady-state solution using steady-state method.  More accurate with higher order discretization scheme.  Must have distinct inflow boundary for each phase  Example: flow around ship’s hull Decreasing Accuracy
  • 35.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 35 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Comparison of Different Front Tracking Algorithms 2nd order upwind Donor - Acceptor Geometric reconstruction Geometric reconstruction with tri mesh
  • 36.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 36 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Surface Tension  Cylinder of water (5 x 1 cm) is surrounded by air in no gravity  Surface is initially perturbed so that the diameter is 5% larger on ends  The disturbance at the surface grows because of surface tension
  • 37.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 37 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Wall Adhesion  Wall adhesion is modeled by specification of contact angle that fluid makes with wall.  Large contact angle (> 90°) is applied to water at bottom of container in zero-gravity field.  An obtuse angle, as measured in water, will form at walls.  As water tries to satisfy contact angle condition, it detaches from bottom and moves slowly upward, forming a bubble.
  • 38.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 38 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Choosing a Multiphase Model: Fluid-Fluid Flows (1)  Bubbly flow examples:  Absorbers  Evaporators  Scrubbers  Air lift pumps  Droplet flow examples:  Atomizers  Gas cooling  Dryers  Slug flow examples:  Large bubble motion in pipes or tanks  Separated flows  free surface, annular flows, stratified flows, liquid films Cavitation Flotation Aeration Nuclear reactors  Combustors  Scrubbers  Cryogenic pumping
  • 39.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 39 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Choosing a Multiphase Model: Gas-Liquid Flows (2) Volume fraction Model Comments Less than 10% DPM Cavitation Ignores bubble coalescence or particle-particle interaction. Inception of cavitation and its approximate extension. All Values ASMM Eulerian Applies to two phase flows only. If density of primary phase is much less than the density of the secondary phase, restricts to applications with small diameter and low volume fraction of the Seconday phase. For large bubbles either use Vof or modify the Drag law. Ignores bubble coalescence or interaction. All Values VOF Bubbles should span across several cells.Applicable to separated flows: free surface flows, annular flows, liquid films, stratified flows.
  • 40.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 40 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Choosing a Multiphase Model: Particle-Laden Flow  Examples:  Cyclones  Slurry transport  Flotation  Circulating bed reactors  Dust collectors  Sedimentation  Suspension  Fluidized bed reactors Volume fraction Model Comments Less than 10% DPM ASMM Ignores bubble coalescence or particle-particle interaction Only one solid size. More efficient than DPM. For liquid-solid applications can be used for higher volume fraction of solids but well below packing limit. All values Eulerian Granular Solve in a transient manner..
  • 41.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 41 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Solution Guidelines  All multiphase calculations:  Start with a single-phase calculation to establish broad flow patterns.  Eulerian multiphase calculations:  Use COPY-PHASE-VELOCITIES to copy primary phase velocities to secondary phases.  Patch secondary volume fraction(s) as an initial condition.  For a single outflow, use OUTLET rather than PRESSURE-INLET; for multiple outflow boundaries, must use PRESSURE-INLET for each.  For circulating fluidized beds, avoid symmetry planes. (They promote unphysical cluster formation.)  Set the “false time step for underrelaxation” to 0.001  Set normalizing density equal to physical density  Compute a transient solution
  • 42.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 42 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Solution Strategies (VOF)  For explicit formulations for best and quick results:  use geometric reconstruction or donor-acceptor  use PISO algorithm with under-relaxation factors up to 1.0  reduce time step if convergence problem arises.  To ensure continuity, reduce termination criteria to 0.001 for pressure in multi-grid solver  solve VOF once per time-step  For implicit formulations:  always use QUICK or second order upwind difference scheme for VOF equation.  may increase VOF UNDER-RELAXATION from 0.2 (default ) to 0.5.  Use proper reference density to prevent round off errors.  Use proper pressure interpolation scheme for hydrostatic consideration:  Body force weighted scheme for all types of cells  PRESTO (only for quads and hexes)
  • 43.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 43 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Summary  Modeling multiphase flows is very complex, due to interdependence of many variables.  Accuracy of results directly related to appropriateness of model you choose:  For most applications with low volume fraction of particles, droplets, or bubbles, use ASMM or DPM model .  For particle-laden flows, Eulerian granular multiphase model is best.  For separated gas-liquid flows (stratified, free-surface, etc.) VOF model is best.  For general, complex gas-liquid flows involving multiple flow regimes:  Select aspect of flow that is of most interest.  Choose model that is most appropriate.  Accuracy of results will not be as good as for others, since selected physical model will be valid only for some flow regimes.
  • 44.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 44 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Conservation equations  Conservation of mass  Conservation of momentum  Conservation of enthalpy               q q q q q q q q q q q q q F P u u u t              ) (         n p pq q q q q q m u t 1       ) ( 1 pq pq n p pq u m R                   q q q k q q q q q q q q q s q u dt dp h u h t    . : ) ( ) (       ) ( 1 pq pq n p pq h m Q    
  • 45.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 45 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Constitutive Equations  Frictional Flow  Particles are in enduring contact and momentum transfer is through friction  Stresses from soil mechanics, Schaeffer (1987)  Description of frictional viscosity  is the second invariant of the deviatoric stress tensor   frict s kin s coll s s , , , , max       ) 0 (   s u  2 , 2 sin I Ps frict s    2 I
  • 46.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 46 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Interphase Forces (cont.)  Virtual Mass Effect: caused by relative acceleration between phases Drew and Lahey (1990).  Virtual mass effect is significant when the second phase density is much smaller than the primary phase density (i.e., bubble column)  Lift Force: Caused by the shearing effect of the fluid onto the particle Drew and Lahey (1990).  Lift force usually insignificant compared to drag force except when the phases separate quickly and near boundaries                   ) ( ) ( , s s s f f f f s vm fs vm u u t u u u t u C K         ) ( ) ( , f s f f s L fs k u u u C K          
  • 47.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 47 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Eulerian Multiphase Model: Turbulence  The transport equations for the model are of the form  Value of the parameters   k k k k k k k k k t k k k k k k k k k k G k k u k t                         ) (  k k k k k k k k t k k k k k k k k k k c G c k u t                                 } { ) ( 2 1  3 . 1 92 . 1 44 . 1 3 . 1 1 09 . 0 3 2 1        c c c c k
  • 48.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 48 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Comparison of Drag Laws Fluid-solid drag functions 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 0.01 0.06 0.12 0.17 0.23 0.28 0.34 0.39 0.45 0.5 0.56 Solids volume fraction f Syamlal-O'Brien Schuh et al. Gidaspow A Gidaspow B Wen and Yu Di Felice Fluid-solid drag functions 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 0.01 0.07 0.13 0.19 0.25 0.31 0.37 0.43 0.49 0.55 Solids volume fraction f Syamlal-O'Brien Schuh et al. Gidaspow A Gidaspow B Wen and Yu Di Felice Relative Reynolds number 1 and 1000 Particle diameter 0.001 mm Arastoopour Arastoopour
  • 49.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 49 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Drag Force Models Fluid-fluid drag functions 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 10 2460 4910 7360 9810 12260 14710 Re Cd Schiller and Naumann Schuh et al. Morsi et Alexander          1000 Re 44 . 0 1000 Re Re 15 . 0 1 24 687 . 0 D C                  2500 Re 4008 . 0 2500 Re 200 Re / Re 0135 . 0 Re 914 . 0 24 200 Re 0 Re 15 . 0 1 24 282 . 0 687 . 0 D C (Re) are , , where Re Re 3 2 1 2 3 2 1 f a a a a a a CD    Schiller and Naumann Schuh et al. Morsi and Alexander
  • 50.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 50 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Solution Algorithms for Multiphase Flows  Coupled solver algorithms (more coupling between phases)  Faster turn around and more stable numerics  High order discretization schemes for all phases.  More accurate results Implicit/Full Elimination Algorithm v4.5 Implicit/Full Elimination Algorithm v4.5 TDMA Coupled Algorithm v4.5 TDMA Coupled Algorithm v4.5 Multiphase Flow Solution Algorithms Multiphase Flow Solution Algorithms Only Eulerian/Eulerian model
  • 51.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 51 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Heterogeneous Reactions in FLUENT4.5  Problem Description  Two liquid e.g. (L1,L2) react and make solids e.g. (s1,s2)  Reactions happen within liquid e.g. (L1-->L2)  Reactions happen within solid e.g. (s1--->s2)  Solution!  Consider a two phase liquid (primary) and solid (secondary)  liquid has two species L1, L2  solid has two species s1,s2  Reactions within each phase i.e. (L1-->L2) and (s1-->s2) can be set up as usual through GUI (like in single phase)  For heterogeneous reaction e.g. (L1+0.5L2-->0.2s1+s2)
  • 52.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 52 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Heterogeneous Reactions in FLUENT 4.5  In usrmst.F  calculate the net mass transfer between phases as a result of reactions – Reactions could be two ways  Assign this value to suterm – If the net mass transfer is from primary to secondary the value should be negative and vica versa.  The time step and mass transfer rate should be such that the net volume fraction change would not be more than 5-10%.  In urstrm.F  Adjust the mass fraction of each species by assigning a source or sink value (+/-) according to mass transfer calculated above.  Adjust the enthalp of each phase by the net amount of heat of reactions and enthalpy transfer due to mass transfer. Again this will be in a form of a source term.
  • 53.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 53 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Heterogeneous Reactions in FLUENT 4.5  Compile your version of the code  Run Fluent and set up the case :  Enable time dependent, multiphase, temperature and species calculations.  Define phases  Enable mass transfer and multi-component multi-species option.  Define species, homogeneous reactions within each phases  Define properties  Enable user defined mass transfer GOOD LUCK!!
  • 54.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 54 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Particle size Descriptive terms Size range Example Coarse solid 5 - 100 mm coal Granular solid 0.3 - 5 mm sugar Coarse powder 100-300 m salt, sand Fine powder 10-100 m FCC catalyst Super fine powder 1-10 m face powder Ultra fine powder ~1 m paint pigments Nano Particles ~1e-3 m molecules
  • 55.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 55 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Discrete Random Walk Tracking  Each injection is tracked repeatedly in order to generate a statistically meaningful sampling.  Turbulent fluctuation in the flow field are represented by defining an instantaneous fluid velocity: where is derived from the local turbulence parameters: and is a normally distributed random number  Mass flow rates and exchange source terms for each injection are divided equally among the multiple stochastic tracks. i i i u u u '   i u' 3 2 ' k i u   
  • 56.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 56 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Cloud Tracking  The particle cloud model uses statistical methods to trace the turbulent dispersion of particles about a mean trajectory. The mean trajectory is calculated from the ensemble average of the equations of motion for the particles represented in the cloud. The distribution of particles inside the cloud is represented by a Gaussian probability density function.
  • 57.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 57 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Stochastic vs. Cloud Tracking  Stochastic tracking:  Accounts for local variations in flow properties such as temperature, velocity, and species concentrations.  Requires a large number of stochastic tries in order to achieve a statistically significant sampling (function of grid density).  Insufficient number of stochastic tries results in convergence problems and non-smooth particle concentrations and coupling source term distributions.  Recommended for use in complex geometry  Cloud tracking:  Local variations in flow properties (e.g. temperature) get averaged away inside the particle cloud.  Smooth distributions of particle concentrations and coupling source terms.  Each diameter size requires its own cloud trajectory calculation.
  • 58.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 58 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Granular Flow Regimes Elastic Regime Plastic Regime Viscous Regime Stagnant Slow flow Rapid flow Stress is strain Strain rate Strain rate dependent independent dependent Elasticity Soil mechanics Kinetic theory
  • 59.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 59 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Flow regimes
  • 60.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 60 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Eulerian Multiphase Model: Heat Transfer  Rate of energy transfer between phases is function of temperature difference between phases:  Hpq (= Hqp) is heat transfer coefficient between pth phase and qth phase.  Can be modified using UDS.   Q H T T pq pq p q   Boiling water in a container: contours of water temperature
  • 61.
    © Fluent Inc.12/26/25 61 Fluent Software Training TRN-99-003 Sample Planes and Particle Histograms  As particles pass through sample planes (lines in 2-D), their properties (position, velocity, etc.) are written to files. These files can then be read into the histogram plotting tool to plot histograms of residence time and distributions of particle properties. The particle property mean and standard deviation are also reported.