CFD Modelling of River Flow

By
Dr. D.R. Kaushal
Associate Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
IIT Delhi
 CFD Modeling of multiphase flows

CFD modeling consists of:

1. Division of the domain into discrete control volumes using

GAMBIT

2. Integration of the governing equations on the individual CV to

construct algebraic equations for the discrete dependent variables
using FLUENT

3. Linearization of the discretized equations and solution of the

resultant equation system to yield updated values of the dependent
variables using FLUENT
 Modeling multiphase flows using CFD

1. The Eulerian Model (Euler-Euler Approach)

The Eulerian model is the most complex of the multiphase

models.

It solves a set of momentum and continuity equations for

each phase.

Coupling is achieved through the pressure and interphase

exchange coefficients.

Kaushal, D.R., Thinglas, T. and Tomita, Y., CFD modeling for pipeline flow of fine
particles at high concentration, Int. J. of Multiphase Flow, Under Review, 2011.

(slurry flow of glass beads with mean diameter of 125mm for velocity up to 5m/s at
volumetric concentrations of 30%, 40% and 50% for each velocity)
 Modeling multiphase flows using CFD
2. The Mixture Model (Euler-Euler Approach)

The mixture model is designed for two or more phases (fluid or

particulate).

As in the Eulerian model, the phases are treated as interpenetrating

continua.

The mixture model solves for the mixture momentum equation and
prescribes relative velocities to describe the dispersed phases, hence
applicable for medium concentrations up to 20% by volume.

1. Kaushal, D.R., Kumar, A. and Tomita, Y., Flow of mono-dispersed particles through
horizontal bend, Int. J. of Multiphase Flow, Under Review, 2011.
2. Kaushal, D.R., Kumar, A. and Tomita, Y., Flow of bi-modal particles through
horizontal bend, Int. J. of Multiphase Flow, Under Review, 2011.

(slurry flow of silica sand with mean diameter of 450 mm for velocity up to 3.6 m/s at
volumetric concentrations of 4%, 9% and 17% for each velocity. Fly ash is added in
different proportions for bi-modal slurry flow study.)
 Modeling multiphase flows using CFD

3. The Discrete Phase Model (Euler-Lagrange Approach)

The fluid phase is treated as a continuum by solving the time-averaged

Navier-Stokes equations.

Dispersed phase is solved by tracking a large number of particles

through the calculated flow field. The dispersed phase can exchange
momentum, mass, and energy with the fluid phase.

A fundamental assumption made in this model is that the dispersed

second phase occupies a low volume fraction (up to 10% by volume).

The particle trajectories are computed individually at specified intervals

during the fluid phase calculation.

Kaushal, D.R., Thinglas, T. and Tomita, Y., Experimental Investigation on Optimization

of Invert Trap Configuration for Solid Management, Powder Technology, Accepted.
 Modeling multiphase flows using CFD

4. The Volume of Fluid (VOF) model

The VOF model can model two or more immiscible fluids

The VOF formulation relies on the fact that two or more fluids (or
phases) are not interpenetrating

 VOF solves single set of momentum equations

 VOF tracks the volume fraction of each of the fluids throughout the
domain

VOF is widely used for open channel flows

Governing Equations of Discrete Phase Model (DPM)
Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations representing transport
equations for the mean flow velocities

Source term in the momentum equation due to presence of the particulate

phase and for each cell C

Boussinesq hypothesis, relating the Reynolds stresses with the mean velocity
gradients (Hinze, 1975)
 RNG based k   turbulence model

Force balance on the particle in x- direction

Sewer/canal sediment management by Invert Trap
Experimental Study on Invert Trap
Experimental Setup contd..
Pictorial View of Experimental Set-Up

Sediment injector

Channel

Inlet Tank

Invert Trap

Collecting Tank
Regulator

Re-circulating
Pipe
Pump

Video Clip

Experimental Set-Up at Simulation Laboratory, Civil Engineering Department, IIT Delhi

Invert Trap Configurations
Variation of retention ratio with slot size
Three-dimensional geometry for Configuration 5 used in CFD
computations
Grid Generation using GAMBIT

Cross-sectional mesh used in CFD

Details of 3D mesh generated using GAMBIT software

Zones Cell depth Cell Number

length of Mesh
cells
Channel 3mm 5 mm 70,000
(upstream of
invert trap)
Invert Trap 1 mm 3 mm 20,000

Channel 3mm 5 mm 40,000

(downstream of
invert trap)
CFD based velocity contours in m/s at flow rate of 9.95 l/s
Fluid velocity vectors in m/s for slot size of 15 cm at flow rate of 9.95 l/s
CFD based particle trajectories at flow rate of 9.95 l/s
CFD-based retention ratio for Sand1 particles for different slot sizes for
Configuration4
  List of Selected Long-Distance Slurry Pipelines

Product Project Location Length Year of

(Km) Operation
Iron Concentrate India (BRPL Orissa) 220 2009
Iron Ore tailings India (BRPL Orissa) 18 2009
Bauxite Ore Brazil 244 2007
Iron Concentrate Brazil 400 2007
Iron Concentrate China 177 2007
Iron Concentrate India (Essar Steel) 268 2005
Copper Concentrate Chile 103 2004
Copper/Zinc Concentrate Peru 302 2001
Copper Concentrate Chile 203 1998
Copper Concentrate Argentina 312 1997
Iron Concentrate China 105 1997
Copper Concentrate Chile 167 1990
Coal USA 1675 1979
Coal USA 440 1970
 Slurry pipeline transportation system

Experimental Set-Up at Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, IIT Delhi

CFD based pressure drop profile in slurry pipe bend
CFD based concentration profiles profile in slurry pipe bend
CFD simulation of hydraulic jump
CFD simulation of drop structure
CFD simulation of drop gated spillway
CFD simulation of cantilever outfall
 CFD simulation of Ganga river

 The hydraulic characteristics of natural river flood plains are not well
understood at present. This is due to the problems encountered in
monitoring spatially distributed patterns of flow depths, velocity,
turbulence characteristics etc.
 For designing the flood protection strategies, it is very important for
river engineers to accurately predict water levels that may be expected due
to any flood discharge.
 One of the consequences resulting from the more recently recognized
hazards of climate change is the potential to increase the levels and
occurrence of flooding worldwide.
 Meandering channel flows being highly complicated are a matter of
recent and continued research.
 3D geometry is developed using (x,y,z) coordinates obtained from
DEM

 CFD based simulations are done on the basis of discharge data

 Based on CFD analysis, meandering patterns are obtained

 CFD results will be studied to suggest flood protection strategies and

preventive measures for protecting banks from erosion
CFD based deposition pattern in meandering river
END…..….