A CFD-DEM model is suitable for the modeling or simulation of fluid-solids or fluid-particles systems. In a typical CFD-DEM model, the phase motion of discrete solids or particles is obtained by the Discrete Element Method (DEM) which applies Newton's laws of motion to every particle[1] and the flow of continuum fluid is described by the local averaged Navier–Stokes equations that can be solved by the traditional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).[2] The model is first proposed by Tsuji et al.[3][4] The interactions between the fluid phase and solids phase is better modeled according to Newton's third law.[5]
Software
Open source and non-commercial software:
The open source CFD software OpenFOAM includes particle methods, including DEM, and solvers that couple CFD-DEM.
The commercial software Simcenter STAR-CCM+ is an integrated multiphysics solution capable of CFD-DEM coupling involving single or multiphase flow, chemical reactions, electromagnetism and heat transfer
Parallelization
OpenMP has been shown to be more efficient in performing coupled CFD-DEM calculations in parallel framework as compared to MPI by Amritkar et al.[6]
References
^Cundall P. A., Strack O. D. L., (1979). Discrete numerical-model for granular assemblies. Geotechnique, 29, 47-65
^Tsuji Y., Tanaka T., Ishida T., (1992). Lagrangian numerical-simulation of plug flow of cohesionless particles in a horizontal pipe. Powder Technology, 71, 239-250
^Tsuji Y, Kawaguchi T, Tanaka T. Discrete Particle Simulation Of 2-Dimensional Fluidized-Bed. Powder Technology. 1993 Oct;77(1):79-87
^Xu B. H. and Yu, A. B. (1997). "Numerical simulation of the gas-solid flow in a fluidized bed by combining discrete particle method with computational fluid dynamics". Chemical Engineering Science. 52 (16): 2785–2809. doi:10.1016/s0009-2509(97)00081-x.