Appendix Lecture:

Advanced Physics: Multiphase

16.0 Release

Introduction to ANSYS Fluent

1 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015

 Introduction
Lecture Theme:
Fluent offers extensive capabilities for multiphase. This lecture will familiarize you
with Fluent’s models, our advanced training course offerings and additional
knowledge resources available on the Customer Portal
Learning Aims:
You will learn:
— Basics of multiphase flows
— Multiphase models available in Fluent and how to choose which model to use
Learning Objectives:
Basic understanding of Fluent’s multiphase models and additional training and
knowledge resources
Introduction Flow Regimes and CFD Models Multiphase Flow Examples Summary
2 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 Multiphase Flows - Introduction
• In many flows, there is more than one fluid present in the domain
– Different substances (eg oil & water, or methane & air)
– Different phases of same substance (water & steam)

• The key issue is how these two fluids are mixed

– If they are mixed at a molecular level, the problem is a multi-species flow.
– A common example is where two gases are present (methane and air)
– A diffusivity (‘material property’) is set for the mixture, and one extra transport
equation is solved for the mass fraction of primary component.

– If the mixing is more macroscopic, then it is a multiphase flow.

– In such cases there is an identifiable boundary between the two phases
– The user must therefore indicate to the solver how this boundary performs
maybe a free surface (VOF model), or a typical droplet size (mixture model)

Introduction Flow Regimes and CFD Models Multiphase Flow Examples Summary
3 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 Multiphase Flows - Introduction
• The fluid system is defined by a primary and multiple secondary phases.
– One of the phases is considered continuous (primary)
– The others (secondary) are considered to be dispersed within the continuous
phase.
– (Note that for free-surface flows, using the Volume of Fluid model, a distinct
interface is defined between the phases and both could be considered
continuous)
Secondary phase(s)

Primary Phase

Introduction Flow Regimes and CFD Models Multiphase Flow Examples Summary
4 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 Multiphase Flow Regimes
• Bubbly flow – Discrete gaseous bubbles in a
continuous fluid, e.g. absorbers, evaporators,
sparging devices.
• Droplet flow – Discrete fluid droplets in a continuous
Gas/Liquid gas, e.g. atomizers, combustors
Liquid/Liquid • Slug flow – Large bubbles in a continuous liquid
• Stratified / free-surface flow – Immiscible fluids Slug Flow Bubbly, Droplet, or
Particle-Laden Flow
separated by a clearly defined interface, e.g. free-
surface flow

• Particle-laden flow – Discrete solid particles in a Stratified / Free- Pneumatic Transport,

continuous fluid, e.g. cyclone separators, air Surface Flow Hydrotransport, or Slurry Flow
Gas / Solid classifiers, dust collectors, dust-laden environmental
flows
• Fluidized beds – Fluidized bed reactors

Liquid / Solid
• Slurry flow – Particle flow in liquids, solids
suspension, sedimentation, and hydro-transport
Sedimentation Fluidized Bed
Introduction Flow Regimes and CFD Models Multiphase Flow Examples Summary
5 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 Multiphase Models Available in Fluent
• Fluent contains four distinct multiphase modeling approaches:
– Discrete Phase Model (DPM)
– Volume of Fluid Model (VOF)
– Eulerian Model
– Mixture Model

• It is important to select the most appropriate modelling approach when

attempting to model a multiphase flow.
– Depends on whether the flow is stratified or disperse – length scale of the
interface between the phases dictates this.
– Also the Stokes number (the ratio of the particle relaxation time to the
characteristic time scale of the flow) should be considered.

where and
Introduction Flow Regimes and CFD Models Multiphase Flow Examples Summary
6 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 DPM Example – Spray Dryer
• Spray drying involves the transformation of a liquid spray into dry powder in a heated
chamber. The flow, heat, and mass transfer are simulated using the DPM model in Fluent.

Initial particle 1.1 mm 0.2 mm Contours of

Diameter: 2 mm Evaporated Water
Introduction Flow Regimes and CFD Models Multiphase Flow Examples Summary
7 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 Eulerian Model Example – 3D Bubble Column

z = 20 cm

z = 15 cm

z = 10 cm

z = 5 cm

Isosurface of Gas Liquid Velocity

Volume Fraction = 0.175 Vectors
Introduction Flow Regimes and CFD Models Multiphase Flow Examples Summary
8 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 The Granular Option in the Eulerian Model
• Granular flows occur when a high concentration of solid particles
is present. This leads to high frequency of interparticle collisions.

• Particles are assumed to behave similarly to a dense cloud of

colliding molecules. Molecular cloud theory is applied to the
particle phase. Gravity

• Application of this theory leads to the appearance of additional

stresses in the momentum equations for continuous and particle
phases
– These stresses (granular “viscosity”, “pressure” etc.) are determined by
intensity of particle velocity fluctuations
– Kinetic energy associated with particle velocity fluctuations is
represented by a “pseudo-thermal” or granular temperature Gas / Sand
Gas
– Inelasticity of the granular phase is taken into account
Contours of Solids Volume Fraction for High
Velocity Gas/Sand Production
Introduction Flow Regimes and CFD Models Multiphase Flow Examples Summary
9 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 Mixture Model Example – Gas Sparging
• The sparging of nitrogen gas
into a stirred tank is
simulated by the mixture
multiphase model. The
rotating impeller is simulated
using the multiple reference
frame (MRF) approach.

• Fluent simulation provided a

good prediction on the gas-
holdup of the agitation
Animation of Gas Volume Water Velocity Vectors on a
system.
Fraction Contours Central Plane at t = 15 sec.

Introduction Flow Regimes and CFD Models Multiphase Flow Examples Summary
10 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 VOF Example: Automobile Fuel Tank Sloshing
• Sloshing (free surface Fuel Tank Without Baffles
movement) of liquid in an
automotive fuel tank under
various accelerating
conditions is simulated by the
VOF model in Fluent.

t = 1.05 sec t = 2.05 sec

• Simulation shows that the
tank with internal baffles will
keep the fuel intake orifice
fully submerged at all times
compared to the tank with no
baffles. Fuel Tank With Baffles
Introduction Flow Regimes and CFD Models Multiphase Flow Examples Summary
11 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 Learning More
• Many more workshops are available.
• Look at www.ansys.com/customer
• On the home page, select Tutorials, then ANSYS Fluent. Scroll down the page – many tutorials are
available (look in the R15.0, 14.0 and 13.0 sections too), including
– Heat and Mass Transfer with the Mixture Model
– Hydrodynamics of Bubble Column Reactors
– Horizontal Film Boiling
– Dam-Break Simulation Using Fluent's Volume of Fluid Model
– Using Fluent's Erosion Model to Investigate Erosion in a 90 degree Elbow Bend
– Using the Eulerian Multiphase Model with Species Transport
– Modeling Flow and Heat Transfer in Packed Bed Reactor
– Modeling Rapid Condensation of Steam in a 2D Laval Nozzle
– Solving a 2D Box Falling into Water
– Modeling Uniform Fluidization in 2D Fluidized Bed
– Modeling Bubble Breakup and Coalescence in a Bubble Column Reactor
– Spin Coating of a Rotating Circular Glass Substrate
– Fuel Tank Sloshing
– Continuous Steel Casting of a Round Billet
– Modeling the Effect of Sedimentation Concentration using a UDF
– Modeling Nucleate Boiling using Fluent
We also strongly recommend attending our Advanced Multiphase Training Course

Introduction Flow Regimes and CFD Models Multiphase Flow Examples Summary
12 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 Summary
• Fluent provides a broad range of models for modeling multiphase flows
• Selecting the appropriate model for a given problem requires a basic understanding
of the underlying physics
• To learn more about this topics, consider attending an advanced training class
• Numerous advanced tutorials are available on the ANSYS Customer Portal

Introduction Flow Regimes and CFD Models Multiphase Flow Examples Summary
13 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 Appendix – More Notes on Multiphase

14 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015

 Volume and Particulate Loading
• Volume loading – dilute vs. dense
– Refers to the volume fraction of secondary phase(s)

– For dilute loading (less than around 10%), the

average inter-particle distance is around twice
the particle diameter. Thus, interactions among
particles can be neglected.

• Particulate loading – ratio of dispersed and continuous phase inertia.

15 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015

 Turbulence Modeling in Multiphase Flows
• Turbulence modeling with multiphase flows is challenging.

• Presently, single-phase turbulence models (such as k–ε or RSM) are used to

model turbulence in the primary phase only.

• Turbulence equations may contain additional terms to account for turbulence

modification by secondary phase(s).

• If phases are separated and the density ratio is of order 1 or if the particle
volume fraction is low (< 10%), then a single-phase model can be used to
represent the mixture.

• In other cases, either single phase models are still used or “particle-presence-
modified” models are used.
16 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 Phases as Mixtures of Species
• In all multiphase models within Fluent, any phase can be composed of
either a single material or a mixture of species.

• Material definition of phase mixtures is the same as in single phase flows.

• It is possible to model heterogeneous reactions (reactions where the

reactants and products belong to different phases).
– This means that heterogeneous reactions will lead to interfacial mass transfer.

17 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015

 Discrete Phase Model (DPM) Overview
• Trajectories of particles, droplets or bubbles are computed in a Lagrangian frame.
– Particles can exchange heat, mass, and momentum with the continuous gas phase.
– Each trajectory represents a group of particles, all with the same initial conditions.
– DPM neglects collisions and other inter-particle interactions.
– Turbulent dispersion of particles can be modeled using either stochastic tracking (the most common method)
or a particle cloud model.
• Many submodels are available – Heat transfer, vaporization/boiling, combustion,
breakup/coalescence, erosion/accretion.
• Applicability of DPM
– Flow regime: Bubbly flow, droplet flow, particle-laden flow
– Volume loading: Must be dilute (volume fraction < 12%), otherwise use Dense DPM Model
– Particulate Loading: Low to moderate
– Stokes Number: All ranges of Stokes number
• Application examples
– Cyclones
– Spray dryers
– Particle separation and classification
– Aerosol dispersion
– Liquid fuel
– Coal combustion
18 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 Discrete Phase Model (DPM) Setup
Define Models Discrete Phase…

Define Injections…

Display Particle Tracks…

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 DPM Boundary Conditions
Escape

Trap

• Wall-jet
Reflect

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 The Eulerian Multiphase Model
• The Eulerian multiphase model is a multi-fluid model. This means that all phases are assumed to exist
simultaneously.
– Conservation equations for each phase contain single-phase terms (pressure gradient, thermal conduction etc.)
– Conservation equations also contain interfacial terms (drag, lift, mass transfer, etc.).
• Interfacial terms are generally nonlinear and therefore, convergence can sometimes be difficult.
• Eulerian Model applicability
– Flow regime Bubbly flow, droplet flow, slurry flow,
fluidized bed, particle-laden flow
– Volume loading Dilute to dense
– Particulate loading Low to high
– Stokes number All ranges

• Application examples
– High particle loading flows
– Slurry flows
– Sedimentation
– Fluidized beds
– Risers
– Packed bed reactors

21 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015

 Eulerian Multiphase Model Equations
Continuity:
Volume fraction for the qth phase
  q  q 
    q  q u q    m
n
 pq
t p 1

Momentum for qth phase:

  q  q u q  n

t
    q  q u q u q    q p   q  q g    τ q   R
p 1
pq
 pq u q    q  q Fq  Flift ,q  Fvm,q 
m

transient convection pressure body shear interphase external, lift, and

interphase mass virtual mass forces
Solids pressure term is included
forces exchange
for granular model.
exchange
The inter-phase exchange forces are expressed as: Exchange coefficient
Fpq  Fqp
R pq  K pq u p  u q 
In general:
Energy equation for the qth phase can be similarly formulated.

22 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015

 Eulerian Multiphase Model Equations
• Multiphase species transport for species i belonging to mixture of qth phase

Mass fraction of species i in qth phase

 

n

t
   
 q  qYi q     q  q u qYi q     q J iq   q Riq   q Siq   pi q j  m
m  q j pi
p 1

transient convective diffusion homogeneous

reaction homogeneous heterogeneous
production reaction

• Homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions are setup the same as in single phase

• The same species may belong to different phases without any relation between
themselves

23 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015

 Eulerian Model Setup
Define Phases…

Define Models Viscous…

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 Mixture Model Overview
• The mixture model is a simplified Eulerian approach, based on the assumption of small Stokes
number.
– Solves the mixture momentum equation (for mass-averaged mixture velocity)
– Solves a volume fraction transport equation for each secondary phase.

• Mixture model applicability

– Flow regime: Bubbly, droplet, and slurry flows
– Volume loading: Dilute to moderately dense
– Particulate Loading: Low to moderate
– Stokes Number: St << 1

• Application examples
– Hydrocyclones
– Bubble column reactors
– Solid suspensions
– Gas sparging

25 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015

 Mixture Model Equations
• Solves one equation for continuity of the mixture

• Solves for the transport of volume fraction of each secondary phase Drift velocity

• Solves one equation for the momentum of the mixture

• The mixture properties are defined as:

26 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015

 Mixture Model Setup
Define Models Multiphase…

Define Phases…

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 Mixture Model Setup
• Boundary Conditions

• Volume fraction defined for each

secondary phase.
• To define initial phase location, patch
volume fractions after solution
initialization.

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 Cavitation Submodel
• The Cavitation model models the
formation of bubbles when the
local liquid pressure is below the
vapor pressure.
• The effect of non-condensable
gases is included.
• Mass conservation equation for
the vapor phase includes vapor
generation and condensation
terms which depend on the sign of the difference between local pressure
and vapor saturation pressure (corrected for on-condensable gas
presence).
• Generally used with the mixture model, incompatible with VOF.
• Tutorial is available for learning the in-depth setup procedure.
29 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 Eulerian-Granular Model Setup
• Granular option must be enabled when defining
the secondary phases.
• Granular properties require definition.
• Phase interaction models appropriate for
granular flows must be selected.

30 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015

 The Volume of Fluid (VOF) Model Overview
• The VOF model is designed to track the location and motion of a free surface
between two or more immiscible fluids.
• VOF model can account for:
– Turbulence, energy and species transport
– Surface tension and wall adhesion effects.
– Compressibility of phase(s)
• VOF model applicability:
– Flow regime Slug flow, stratified/free-surface flow
– Volume loading Dilute to dense
– Particulate loading Low to high
– Turbulence modeling Weak to moderate coupling between phases
– Stokes number All ranges
• Application examples
– Large slug flows
– Tank filling
– Offshore separator sloshing
– Coating
31 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015
 VOF Model Setup
Define Models Multiphase…

Define Phases…

Define Operating Conditions…

Operating Density should be set to that of lightest phase
with body forces enabled.
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 UDFs for Multiphase Applications
• When a multiphase model is enabled, Domain ID = 1 Mixture Domain Mixture Thread
storage for properties and variables is
set aside for mixture as well as for
individual phases.
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
– Additional thread and domain data 2 3 4
Domain Domain Domain
structures required.
• In general the type of DEFINE macro
determines which thread or domain 5 Interaction Domain
Phase
(mixture or phase) gets passed to your Thread
UDF.
• C_R(cell,thread) will return the
mixture density if thread is the mixture
thread or the phase densities if it is the
phase thread. Domain ID
• Numerous macros exist for data
retrieval.
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 Heterogeneous Reaction Setup
Define Phases…

34 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. February 26, 2015