Simulation of shock-powder interaction using kinetic theory of granular flow

• Shock-powder interaction in a shock tube with dense particle curtain is investigated.
• The particle kinetic theory is used for modeling the compressible gas-particle flow.
• There is a large velocity slip between the gas and particle phases in the curtain.
• Compressibility correction in drag force is considered in simulations.
• The effects of particle size and volume fraction on the powder behavior are studied.

Numerical simulation of the shock-powder interaction in a shock tube is carried out using the Eulerian-Eulerian approach, and special emphasis is placed on the particle phase behavior responding to the shock wave. The kinetic theory of granular flow is incorporated into the mathematical model of the compressible gas-particle flow. Since the particle phase pressure is provided by the kinetic theory, characteristics analysis demonstrates that the set of particle phase governing equations is a well-posed system, and the Roe scheme is then used in the numerical simulation process. The predicted results show that the particle phase is compressed by the shock wave, and the accumulation of particles increases the pressure of the particle phase. While, the reflected and transmitted shock waves are generated after the shock-powder interaction, the expansion waves in the particle powder show a decrease trend in the gas phase pressure. In addition, the passage of the shock wave gives rise to a sharp increase of the velocity slip between the gas phase and the particle phase. Performance of the particle kinetic theory in the present model is examined by the experimental data, which provides the numerical basis for implementing the particle kinetic theory in compressible multiphase flow problems.

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