Multiphase CFD modelling of Head loss characteristics of Iron-Ore solid-liquid suspension flowing inside 90° pipe elbow section of slurry conveying system

Present study is aimed to simulate iron ore-water solid liquid suspension inside a 90° pipe elbow section of the slurry conveying turbomachinery system. Simulations were performed with velocity (V) and concentration of 2–5 m/s and 20–60 wt% respectively for a 50 mm elbow diameter. The effect of particle size, and elbow radius to diameter ratio (r/D) at higher concentration was also analyzed. The r/D values were varied from 1 to 4 while effect of concentration, velocity and particle size was studied at r/D = 2. RNG k-ε model coupled with Eulerian method for granular flow was used to represent multiphase phenomenon. The head loss increases non-linearly with concentration and velocity. The disturbance was higher at lower r/D ratio. The pressure drop was minimum at r/D = 2.5. The higher concentration was observed at the outer periphery of pipe due to centrifugal action. The increase in ore size caused an increase in flow separation region at inner periphery of pipe.