Numerical simulation of particle separation in a two-phase flow passing through a vortex-based air classifier using Eulerian-Lagrangian DDPM approach

Numerical simulations remain one of the most effective methods for investigating the intricate physics of multiphase flows. In this study, the separation process within an industrial air classifier was carefully simulated using the numerical Eulerian-Lagrangian Dense Discrete Phase Model (DDPM) approach. Both fluid and solid particle phases were analyzed, and classifier performance was evaluated under various operating conditions. The effects of inlet flow velocity, mass loading, and damper angle on the pressure drop, outlet mass flow rate, and separation ratio of the classifier have been analyzed. Among these parameters, the damper angle was identified as the most influential. The flow was greatly influenced by the damper angle, crucial for the particle mass flow rate and particle size distribution at the outlets. Variation in the damper opening angle from -20 degrees to 45 degrees revealed the minimum pressure drop at 0 degrees . Up to a 60% interchange in outlet mass content was achieved by changing the opening level.