| Issue |
EPJ Web Conf.
Volume 347, 2026
2025 SAIMechE Central Branch Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Related Disciplines (SCMERD 2025)
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Article Number | 01004 | |
| Number of page(s) | 5 | |
| Section | Thermofluids and Heat Transfer | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202634701004 | |
| Published online | 14 January 2026 | |
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202634701004
Developing a Validated Numerical Model of Granular Material Flow in a Heat Exchanger
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering Science, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
2 DryTech International, Johannesburg, South Africa
* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published online: 14 January 2026
This paper presents the development of a validated numerical model of granular material flowability in a heat exchanger using the DEM modelling in STAR-CCM+ software. The model is developed based on an experiment. The simulation model is validated qualitatively and quantitatively from experimental data. The comparison between the experimental and simulated velocities, velocity profiles and mass flowrates demonstrate a high degree of similarity. For instance, the percentage difference of mass flowrate between the experiment and simulation data is 5.61% and the maximum percentage difference of the particle velocity is 9.53% which reflects a reasonable level of agreement.
© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2026
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