Comparison of coupled DEM-CFD and SPH-DEM methods in single and multiple particle sedimentation test cases

In this paper, the capability of two major methods for modelling two-phase flow systems, coupled discrete element method and computational fluid dynamics (DEM-CFD) and smoothed particle hydrodynamics and discrete element method (SPH-DEM), is investigated. The particle phase is modelled using the discrete element method DEM, while the fluid phase is described using either a mesh-based (CFD) or a mesh-less (SPH) method. Comparisons are performed to address algorithmic differences between these methods using a series of verification test cases, prior to its application to more complex systems. The present study describes a comprehensive verification for the fluid-particle simulations with -two different test cases: single particle sedimentation and sedimentation of a constant porosity block. In each case the simulation results are compared with the corresponding analytical solutions showing a good agreement in each case.