CFD-DEM Simulation Of Multi-Particle Arching At Sand Filter Opening

—The primary motivation of this research is to offer an insight into the conditions and parameters that influence on the formation, stabilization, destruction and reformation of the multi-particle sand arching (bridging) as an efficient particle retention mechanism occurred at filter opening. The arching phenomenon is numerically explored by coupling two tools: CFD to model the fluid flow, and DEM to model the particle flow. The coupling is done in STAR-CCM+ (SIEMENS PLM). In this research, the arching at the filter opening at the micro-scale with heavy oil as the carrier phase of particles (in oil sand reservoirs) is investigated. The research outcome of this study is a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) - discrete element method (DEM) model cable of predicting multi-particle arch formation, stabilization, breakage and reformation. In particular, some of the parameters and conditions that could affect multi-particle arch performance are also studied such as size and shape of the particles and particle size distribution. Applying and advancing the knowledge gained in this research will help the research industry partner make better decisions about filter selection and filter opening design. experimental results