CFD–DEM Modelling of Nozzle Wear (HP-AWJ)

Overview

A 3D high-pressure abrasive water-jet (HP-AWJ) nozzle model with structured meshing, using the Volume of Fluid (VOF) model in ANSYS Fluent to simulate air–water multiphase flow at 400 MPa.

CFD–DEM coupling between ANSYS Fluent and Rocky DEM simulates abrasive-particle transport and particle–wall interactions; Finnie erosion and Archard wear models predict erosion rate and wear depth, with studies on particle shape, restitution and inlet velocity.

Highlights

• Built a 3D HP-AWJ nozzle model with structured meshing and the VOF multiphase model.
• Performed CFD–DEM coupling to simulate abrasive-particle transport and wall interactions.
• Applied Finnie erosion and Archard wear models to predict erosion rate and wear depth.