Numerical Simulation of the Particle Deposition on a Tube with Coupled Lattice Boltzmann Method and Finite Volume Method

A coupling method between multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method and finite volume method is used to simulate the 2D fouling process on a single row of tubes. The particle motion is simulated by the cellular automata model. The fluid flow and particle deposition process around the tubes is simulated by multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method, while the downstream fluid flow is simulated by finite volume method to save the computational time. The restitution coefficient calculated by the energy balance and the critical impact angle are used as the criterions for particle deposition. The deposition processes for 5 μm, 10 μm particles with inlet velocity 5m/s and 10m/s are simulated with the method. The results show that the particle with small diameter and inlet velocity tends to deposit more rapidly. The vortices behind the tubes bring the particles back to the leeward side of the tube, and a concave shape of fouling continues growing on the entire leeward half of the tube. A cone shape fouling layer forms on the windward side of the tube. The cone shape changes the air flow and stops the deposition on the windward side. The proposed coupling method is suitable for the study of the fouling process on the tubes.