Turbulent fluid flow dynamics and aerosol particle deposition in spiral conduits via Eulerian-Lagrangian methodology

Abstract

Understanding aerosol particle deposition in spiral pipes is crucial for optimizing air filtration systems and industrial processes. This study uses advanced numerical simulations to address the complex interaction between turbulence and particle accumulation within a corrugated, wavy-shaped helical conduit. The simulation utilizes the RNG (Renormalization Group) k-ε turbulence equation with enhanced wall treatment to simulate complex fluid dynamics accurately. At the same time, the Lagrangian particle tracking approach captures particle behavior and deposition patterns. The study explores a range of particle diameters from 1 to 20 μm and Reynolds numbers from 6 × 10³ to 10⁴ to capture a broad spectrum of flow circulation and particle interactions. Key indices such as helix diameter, number of spiral revolutions, and pipe diameter are systematically varied to assess their impact on deposition efficiency. The findings reveal that larger particle sizes and higher Reynolds numbers significantly enhance deposition rates due to intensified inertial forces and turbulence effects. Increasing the number of spiral revolutions and helix diameter improves deposition efficiency by enhancing particle-wall interactions. Conversely, the pipe diameter has a more nuanced effect, with optimal sizes balancing flow resistance and deposition efficiency. These findings provide insights into optimizing spiral pipe designs for improved aerosol particle control, which is crucial for enhancing system performance and lowering environmental impact.