Two-fluid modeling of turbulent particle–gas suspensions in vertical pipes

Numerical simulations of dilute, turbulent gas–solid flows in vertical pipes are performed using a two-fluid model or Euler–Euler model incorporating kinetic theory for granular flows (KTGF) and accounting for a four-way coupling (i.e. consideration of particle–particle collisions along with gas–particle interactions). Comparison of the model predictions with experimental data reveals good agreement. The paper mainly focuses on the investigation of fully developed velocity profiles, turbulent intensity and pressure drop over a wide range of operating conditions and particle properties. The significant contribution of the present study is the development of a correlation for pressure drop in vertical gas–solid flows using non-linear regression analysis from the data obtained from CFD predictions, which gives an accuracy of ± 15%. This correlation can be used for the prediction of pressure drop in pneumatic conveying of fly ash, cement, pulverized coal etc.