Modeling multiphase flows subjected to centrifugal acceleration with a mixture-averaged drift-flux algorithm

A mixture-averaged multiphase flow model has been developed to predict local variations in individual phase concentrations arising from centrifugal accelerations in the fluid. This centrifugal acceleration can be caused by swirl or by flow streamline curvature. The model has been developed for turbulent, compressible, nonisothermal flows. Higher-order differencing was used to discretize the transport equations; however, the effect of differencing the particle acceleration model on model performance is shown. For a sample case, comparisons are made with results using a Eulerian/Eulerian two-phase model. Discrete phase mass fraction concentration profiles compare favorably between the modified, mixture-averaged model and a two-phase model.