The effect of discontinuous injection on particle back-flow in pneumatic conveying systems

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Obukohwo, Otome, Sowinski, Andrew, Mehrani, Poupak, Grosshans, Holger
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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_version_ 1866911366240010240
author Obukohwo, Otome
Sowinski, Andrew
Mehrani, Poupak
Grosshans, Holger
author_facet Obukohwo, Otome
Sowinski, Andrew
Mehrani, Poupak
Grosshans, Holger
contents Pneumatic conveying is used in many process industries to transport dry, granular, and powdered solids. The triboelectrification of particles during conveying causes particle agglomeration, spark discharges, and disruptions in particle flow, making particles move upstream against the fluid flow. The effect of frequency of particle injection on particle backflow is studied using CFD-DEM simulations. Conveying flow in a square-shaped duct with fluid frictional Reynold's number equal to 180, particle Stokes number equal to 8, and individual particle charge equal to 504 fC, is simulated with different particle injection frequencies. The proportion of particles moving upstream is found to increase as the delay period between injections increases, and the effect of the length of the injection period is minimal. Further, particles moving upstream are situated in low-drag zones at the corners of the duct where the electrostatic force dominates. In conclusion, the delay period between discontinuous injections plays a major role in particle backflow. The findings of the article are important for industrial processes with discontinuous injection of particles with a risk of particle accumulation within the conveying boundary.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_06653
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle The effect of discontinuous injection on particle back-flow in pneumatic conveying systems
Obukohwo, Otome
Sowinski, Andrew
Mehrani, Poupak
Grosshans, Holger
Fluid Dynamics
Pneumatic conveying is used in many process industries to transport dry, granular, and powdered solids. The triboelectrification of particles during conveying causes particle agglomeration, spark discharges, and disruptions in particle flow, making particles move upstream against the fluid flow. The effect of frequency of particle injection on particle backflow is studied using CFD-DEM simulations. Conveying flow in a square-shaped duct with fluid frictional Reynold's number equal to 180, particle Stokes number equal to 8, and individual particle charge equal to 504 fC, is simulated with different particle injection frequencies. The proportion of particles moving upstream is found to increase as the delay period between injections increases, and the effect of the length of the injection period is minimal. Further, particles moving upstream are situated in low-drag zones at the corners of the duct where the electrostatic force dominates. In conclusion, the delay period between discontinuous injections plays a major role in particle backflow. The findings of the article are important for industrial processes with discontinuous injection of particles with a risk of particle accumulation within the conveying boundary.
title The effect of discontinuous injection on particle back-flow in pneumatic conveying systems
topic Fluid Dynamics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.06653