CFD–DEM simulation and experimental investigation of the flow behavior of lunar regolith JSC-1A--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Otto, H., Kerst, K., Roloff, C., Janiga, G., & Katterfeld, A. (2018). CFD–DEM simulation and experimental investigation of the flow behavior of lunar regolith JSC-1A. Particuology, 40, 34-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2017.12.003

CFD–DEM simulation and experimental investigation of the flow behavior of lunar regolith JSC-1A

Hendrik Otto ^{a 1}, Kristin Kerst ^{b 1}, Christoph Roloff ^b, Gábor Janiga ^b *, André Katterfeld ^a

a Chair of Conveying Technologies, University of Magdeburg “Otto von Guericke”, Magdeburg, Germany
b Laboratory of Fluid Dynamics and Technical Flows, University of Magdeburg “Otto von Guericke”, Magdeburg, Germany

10.1016/j.partic.2017.12.003

Volume 40, October 2018, Pages 34-43

Received 27 January 2017, Revised 10 November 2017, Accepted 8 December 2017, Available online 24 April 2018, Version of Record 28 July 2018.

E-mail: janiga@ovgu.de

Highlights

• Intermittent fluidization of lunar regolith simulants in an hourglass was simulated using CFD–DEM.

• Parameters of the bulk material necessary for DEM simulations were calibrated.

• Simulated and experimentally determined particle velocities were in comparatively good agreement.

• The moment of fluidization and number of air pockets could not be predicted by a single DEM simulation.

Abstract

Rovers on Mars and the Moon analyze the local geology by collecting samples of the upper layer in containers and ovens. After the analysis, the complete discharge of samples from the reservoir must be ensured. Because of the low atmospheric pressure, reduced gravity, and different grain shapes of the bulk material, the discharge process is very different compared to that on Earth. In this study, the behavior of lunar regolith JSC-1A in closed containers during discharge was investigated by analyzing the flow in an hourglass under the Earth’s atmosphere. Reproducible fluidization of the top particle layer was observed during the outflow of the upper half of the hourglass. These particles were fluidized by the displacement flow initiated by falling particles in the completely closed container. This complex problem was simulated by coupling computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with the discrete element method (DEM). A CFD–DEM simulation with 1 million particles was performed. Because billions of particles are present in the actual system, the use of a coarse graining approach was required. In addition, high-speed camera measurements were used to determine the velocities of individual particles to validate the simulation. The fluidization effect was successfully simulated using the coupled method.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

CFD–DEM simulation; Flow behavior; Lunar regolith JSC-1A; Experiment

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