Multi-scale modeling of flow resistance in granular porous media

A new methodology for modeling fluid flow through porous beds consisting of spherical or quasi-spherical particles is proposed. The proposed approach integrates the Discrete Element Method (DEM) with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques. A porous bed was first modeled using the DEM to quantify its pore structure, including the number, coordinates and diameters of all spheres in the bed. Then, a numerical algorithm (PathFinder) is developed to use the DEM simulation results to calculate the micro-scale properties of the porous bed, including porosity, tortuosity and other geometrical parameters. Finally, the determined property parameters are used in a CFD model to simulate fluid flow through porous beds. It was shown that the Discrete Element Method was capable of simulating the spatial structure of granular porous media, providing geometrical parameters that are required by commonly used models for predicting flow through porous media.