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Simulating multiphase flow in a two-stage pusher centrifuge using computational fluid dynamics

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Abstract

The design of two-stage pusher centrifuges have developed rapidly, but a good understanding of the theory behind their practice is a long-standing problem. To better understand centrifugal filter processes, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software program FLUENT has been used to model the three-dimensional geometry and to simulate multiphase flows based on Euler-Euler, moving mesh, dynamic mesh and porous media models. The simulation tangential velocities were a little smaller than those for rigid-body motion. In the stable flow region, the radial velocities were in good agreement with the theoretical data. Additionally, solid concentration distribution were obtained and also showed good agreement with the experimental data. These results show that this simulation method could be an effective tool to optimize the design of the two-stage pusher centrifuge.

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Correspondence to Liyan Liu.

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Pang, C., Tan, W., Sha, E. et al. Simulating multiphase flow in a two-stage pusher centrifuge using computational fluid dynamics. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng. 6, 329–338 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-012-1205-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-012-1205-5

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