Computational domain discretization in numerical analysis of forced convective heat transfer within packed beds of granular materials

Abstract

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a very effective research tool in the analysis of heat transfer within backed beds of granular materials. Computational domain discretization is the preprocessing stage in CFD analysis and it highly contributes to reducing the level of solution error as well as increasing the numerical stability of the model. The discretization of domain representing a packed bed of granular material is a demanding task due to the topology of the model consisting of spherical granules contacting tangentially. Therefore the aim of the carried out research was to define guidelines to effectively discretize the computational domain representing the packed bed of granular material. Two methods of contact point representation between granules and two mesh types (tetrahedral and polyhedral) are investigated. Differences between the analyzed cases are discussed.