LARGE EDDY SIMULATION OF A 67-PEBBLE BED EXPERIMENT

David Reger, Elia Merzari, Haomin Yuan, Yassin Hassan, Stephen King, Khoi Ngo, Sebastian Schunert, Paolo Balestra

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using computational methods to predict the velocity and pressure fields in packed beds can help increase the understanding of the complex flow fields found in these systems. Validation of these computational methods with experimental data is crucial to providing confidence in any conclusions derived from numerical results. In this work, a packed bed of 67 spheres is reconstructed from experimental data and simulated using Large Eddy Simulation (LES). The bed consisted of 67 31.75 mm diameter poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) spheres packed into a 139.7 mm PMMA cylinder, yielding an aspect ratio of 4.4. Sphere centers and flow data was captured with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The spectral element code NekRS was used to perform the LES simulation and generate an averaged flow field. Results between the experiment and simulation were compared over three lines in a transverse plane. Initial results showed that the trends in the velocity were captured well in the simulation, but the magnitude of the velocity was not as consistent with the experimental results. Additional pebbles were randomly packed underneath the reconstruction region to allow for turbulence to develop more before reaching the sampling plane, as was the case in the experiment. These additional pebbles improved the agreement between experiment and simulation, and it was determined that roughly 4.5 pebble diameters between inlet and sampling plane is sufficient to eliminate entrance effects. Additional pebbles were also packed on top of the reconstruction region, but this displayed minimal benefit.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of Advances in Thermal Hydraulics, ATH 2022 - Embedded with the 2022 ANS Annual Meeting
PublisherAmerican Nuclear Society
Pages278-291
Number of pages14
ISBN (Electronic)9780894487811
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
Event5th International Topical Meeting on Advances in Thermal Hydraulics 2022, ATH 2022, held in conjunction with the 2022 American Nuclear Society ,ANS Annual Meeting - Anaheim, United States
Duration: Jun 12 2022Jun 16 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of Advances in Thermal Hydraulics, ATH 2022 - Embedded with the 2022 ANS Annual Meeting

Conference

Conference5th International Topical Meeting on Advances in Thermal Hydraulics 2022, ATH 2022, held in conjunction with the 2022 American Nuclear Society ,ANS Annual Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAnaheim
Period6/12/226/16/22

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • Nuclear Energy and Engineering
  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics

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