Numerical description of flow channel in pipe conduits considering solid-fluid phase shift with Lattice Boltzmann Method

Abstract

For the optimization of power generation through the stable operation of geothermal power plant, it is significant to secure the flow channel in pipe conduits. The major barriers to this process include the scale formation and the pipe corrosion or erosion which would break down the pipe lines. Although it has been confirmed that both phenomena develop locally due to hydrodynamic effects, various simulations or experiments have not been conducted based on hydrodynamics and no unified method considering the influence of fluid flow has been established at present. In this research, we applied a prediction formula of silica deposition rate computed by particle analyses on an nm-µm scale and an empirical formula obtained from corrosion experiment taking shear stress into account to the lattice Boltzmann method. We described complicated shape of piping wall with gradual shift between solid and fluid cells using the proposed scheme. Our results are consistent with actual data and effectiveness and versatility of the lattice Boltzmann method are suggested.