Numerical approaches for motion of dispersed particles, droplets and bubbles

Recent advances in computational approaches for two-phase flow motion of solid particles, liquid particles, and gas bubbles are reviewed in the context of engineering calculations, The surrounding fluid is assumed to behave in a continuum and the dispersed-fluid is assumed to be dilute such that particle-particle interactions and two-way coupling effects can be ignored. The key process considered herein is momentum transfer to the particles with emphasis on turbulent diffusion. Computational approaches are classified by their particular treatment of the continuous-phase (surrounding liquid or gas) and of the dispersed-phase (solid particles, droplets, or bubbles). The most appropriate point-volume descriptions for interphase transfer of momentum are described based on current research and experimental data. Modern Lagrangian and Eulerian treatments of the dispersed-phase motion are then considered for predicting a variety of particle-fluid physical phenomenon, Finally, the "tools" (computational techniques) are summarized based on the "job" (prediction of a particular set of dispersed-phase properties) and the "cost" (required computational resources). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.