Developing a Validated Numerical Model of Granular Material Flow in a Heat Exchanger

Samkelo M. Khumalo; Daniel M. Madyira; Waldermar F. Cieslakiewicz; Dewald Scholtz; Garikai T. Marangwanda

doi:10.1051/epjconf/202634701004

Developing a Validated Numerical Model of Granular Material Flow in a Heat Exchanger

Samkelo M. Khumalo
, Daniel M. Madyira
, Waldermar F. Cieslakiewicz
, Dewald Scholtz
, Garikai T. Marangwanda

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Article number	01004
Journal	EPJ Web of Conferences
Volume	347
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202634701004
Publication status	Published - 14 Jan 2026
Event	2025 SAIMechE Central Branch Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Related Disciplines, SCMERD 2025 - Johannesburg, South Africa Duration: 28 Oct 2025 → …

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Physics and Astronomy

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10.1051/epjconf/202634701004

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title = "Developing a Validated Numerical Model of Granular Material Flow in a Heat Exchanger",

abstract = "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.",

author = "Khumalo, \{Samkelo M.\} and Madyira, \{Daniel M.\} and Cieslakiewicz, \{Waldermar F.\} and Dewald Scholtz and Marangwanda, \{Garikai T.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 The Authors, published by EDP Sciences.; 2025 SAIMechE Central Branch Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Related Disciplines, SCMERD 2025 ; Conference date: 28-10-2025",

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AU - Khumalo, Samkelo M.

AU - Madyira, Daniel M.

AU - Cieslakiewicz, Waldermar F.

AU - Scholtz, Dewald

AU - Marangwanda, Garikai T.

PY - 2026/1/14

Y1 - 2026/1/14

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105029861846

U2 - 10.1051/epjconf/202634701004

DO - 10.1051/epjconf/202634701004

M3 - Conference article

AN - SCOPUS:105029861846

SN - 2101-6275

VL - 347

JO - EPJ Web of Conferences

JF - EPJ Web of Conferences

M1 - 01004

T2 - 2025 SAIMechE Central Branch Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Related Disciplines, SCMERD 2025

Y2 - 28 October 2025

ER -

Developing a Validated Numerical Model of Granular Material Flow in a Heat Exchanger

Abstract

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