Computational simulation of the drying process of particulate foods using a fluidized bed with CFD-DEM

Abstract

The objective of this work was to simulate momentum transfer in a fluidized bed, considering the phase coupling of the continuous phase (fluid) and the discrete phase (particles). The following tools were used: Blender, OpenFOAM, Helyx-OS, LIGGGHTS, and CFD-DEM COUPLING. A 3D geometry (STL files) was defined and meshed using Helyx-OS. OpenFOAM solved the equations for the continuous phase, and LIGGGHTS solved the particle motion. CFD-DEM COUPLING integrates both phases, recalculating the equations for the continuous phase and integrating a term that represents the momentum exchange between the fluid and the particles. The results showed the evolution over time of the position and velocity of each particle, and the pressure and velocity of the fluid, and allowed estimating bed expansion, pressure drop, and possible stagnation zones.