Towards simulating flow induced spillage in dredge cutter heads using DEM-FVM

Journal article (2023)

Authors

B.J. Nieuwboer Royal IHC
C. van Rhee Offshore and Dredging Engineering - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
G.H. Keetels Offshore and Dredging Engineering - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Research Group
Offshore and Dredging Engineering (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2023 B.J. Nieuwboer, C. van Rhee, G.H. Keetels
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.113922
OpenFOAM Dredging Cutter Suction Dredger Discrete Element Method Computational fluid dynamics Dynamic mesh
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Published Date

2023

Language

English

Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Marine and Transport Technology

Research Group

Offshore and Dredging Engineering

Abstract

When dredging rock using a Cutter Suction Dredger the high amount of spillage is problematic, since it prevents an energy efficient removal process. This papers presents a coupled DEM-FVM method to simulate spillage, that can be used for optimizing the design and working method of the Cutter Suction Dredger. In these simulations, the challenge was to model relatively large particles in a complex and rotating geometry. To ensure stability and reduce computational time we used smoothing kernels to map the forces and the concentration between the discrete elements and the fluid mesh. The method is validated for the fluid flow in the rotating cutter head. This model incorporates all physical processes to predict flow induced spillage in cutter heads within feasible calculation times.