Accelerated heat transfer simulations using coupled DEM and CFD

This work presents an accelerated simulation of heat and mass transfer by coupling Discrete Element Methodologies (DEMs) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), utilising Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) technology. The presented model is a continuation of previous work from Hobbs (2009) [1] and focuses on demonstrating the capabilities and effectiveness of implementing the GPU combined with the Central Processing Unit (CPUs) technologies to run a complex industrial simulation. Furthermore, different flighting configurations have been used to investigate the influence of the design to the drying process. A model of an aggregate drum dryer was used to produce hot mix asphalt and different computing configurations have been implemented to investigate the effect of GPU-CPU technology in such a complex simulation. Commercial codes from ANSYS and DEM Solutions were coupled to simulate heat transfer from the hot gases to the aggregate particles. Fluid flow and particle-fluid interactions are solved by the CFD solver which exchanges information at regular intervals. The results showed that the coupled model captures accurately the convective heat transfer from the fluid to the solid phase and demonstrated significant improvement in terms of simulation time. The proposed model has significant impact in industrial applications as it provides insight on how to simulate large-scale applications rapidly and accurately. The presented model demonstrates the capabilities and effectiveness of implementing the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) technologies to run complex coupled DEM-CFD simulations for large-scale applications. The results showed time reduction between 32–83%. [Display omitted] •Heat transfer calculation between the particles and the fluid. Assessment of different designs.•Use of GPU technology for fast simulations. Net reduction of coupled simulation time by 32%.•Vast reduction of time of the DEM part of the simulation by 83%.•Analysis of the mechanical behaviour of the HMA inside an enclosed system.