I need to model a slow-moving packed bed (particle size ranging from 10-40 mm) and counter-current gas flow. The hot gas heats up the solid particles which then undergo endothermic chemical reaction. I want to model this system as using CFD with the bed represented as a porous medium tuned to have the same CFD properties as an already-calculated (using commercial Rocky DEM software) bed of particles.
I already have such a CFD model in ANSYS CFX commercial software that models the chemical reactions, but the licence is expensive and I need to move to open-source CFD software.
I need some advice:
1. Can OpenFOAM model chemical reactions i.e. change in gas properties and associated heat source/sink within a cell?
2. Is the CFDEMproject partly about making the user interface of OpenFOAM more friendly?
3. What will the "CFDEMproject getting started USB drive" do for me? I am looking for a somewhat 'gentle' introduction into how to set up the OpenFOAM problem and go about quantifying the input parameters, running the model, interpreting the results, etc.
4. Can anyone put me in touch with someone who is working on similar problem in OpenFOAM?
Thanks and regards,
Doug Murray
alice | Tue, 10/22/2013 - 08:34
Good morning Doug,
Good morning Doug,
CFDEMcoupling provides an interface between a CFD solver that is written in OpenFOAM-manner and the DEM code LIGGGHTS. It is designed for computing coupled CFD-DEM cases that involve a fluid phase and a solid phase that is computed in a Lagrangian way. OpenFOAM itself is a very mighty toolbox, detailed information about its features and the available solvers can be found directly at the homepage of the distributors or in dedicated forums. Just like LIGGGHTS and CFDEMcoupling it comes with a number of tutorial cases that help you with getting started.
Regards,
Alice
Doug Murray | Wed, 10/23/2013 - 08:47
GUI for OpenFOAM?
Thanks Alice, I appreciate your replying. (I am having 16-core machine set up very soon, so I can get started.)
Does the CFDEMproject come with a GUI? Or is there one available?
My apologies - I am totally new!
Kind regards,
Doug
alice | Wed, 10/23/2013 - 15:10
Hello Doug,
Hello Doug,
unfortunately there is no GUI available for CFDEMcoupling, it's structure basically consists of a combination between a DEM case (LIGGGHTS) and a CFD case (OpenFOAM like structure, some extra files that account for the coupling). One of the reasons for the absence of a gui lies in the increased flexibility that comes with the current design of the cases.
The tutorial cases included in the package that you get when downloading the sources will help you with getting started. Furthermore we provide training-courses on a regular basis (upcoming courses will be annnounced in the training-section as soon as scheduled). Furthermore there are a lot of threads in the forum that deal with different aspects of the software.
I wish you all the best for getting started!
Cheers,
Alice