Investigation of the Filter Cake Formation Process using DEM-CFD Simulation with Experimentally Calibrated Parameters

The process of cake filtration is used in many process industries where large quantities of solids are to be recovered/filtered. The present study is dedicated to the investigation of the filter cake formation process using DEM-CFD simulation with experimentally calibrated parameters. Experiments are carried out to measure the particle-particle interaction properties. Numerical analysis is carried out using a two-way volume averaged DEM-CFD coupling approach. For bi-dispersed and non-spherical particles, appropriate drag models are implemented and validated numerically. Then the sensitivity analysis of the various factors affecting the structure of the packed bed/cakes is performed. Further, the consolidation in the packed beds/cakes due to the fluid forces is studied.