Application of Multiphase Flow CFD to the Analysis of Slurry Flow Subdivision Devices

The biased subdivision of slurry feed into downstream branches results in each unit (e.g, hydrocyclone) in a multi-unit system to operate under different separation density, volumetric flowrate, feed pressure, solids concentration and feed composition, and some of the operation conditions could be far from favourable ones, leading to reduced efficiencies. In this study, a multiphase flow CFD code, based on the general purpose finite element solver-Fastflo{TM}, is expanded and verified with experimental data from slurry pipe flow with coarse particles. The numerical code is then used to simulate multiphase flows in T-type slurry feed subdivision devices modified with a partition wall. The numerical simulations have shown that the slurry subdivision performance in the modified device is improved compared with the unmodified device for cases with a vertical approach. Effects of flow rate, particle size, density, solids concentration and branch orientation have been numerically studied. The prediction on the modified device has been confirmed with experimental data, and the implication of numerical results is discussed.