CFD Modelling of Swirling Device to Study Bend Erosion Rate at Different Bend Angles in Pneumatic Conveying System

Abstract

Bend Erosion problems were found mostly common in pneumatic conveying plants. Swirling of particles before striking the bend has been noted as the best solution to minimize bend erosion rate. CFD k-w model in Ansys was applied to analyze mild steel bend erosion in the pipeline by pneumatically conveyed particles with a motor-operated swirling device. A part of the pipe before the bend is rotated at different velocities in different elbow geometries from 15° to 90° elbows. A combination of Eulerian and Lagrangian methods were utilized to track particles.  Mathematical modelling of the swirling of particles on bent surfaces is taken into consideration with different elbow angle. The bend erosion rate was mitigated due to the swirling of particles. Different velocities and parameters are taken to evaluate the results. At different bend angles erosion rate is different and the swirling device minimizes the bend erosion rate.