Simulation of Automatic Feed Pellet Spraying Based on CFD-EDM

During the pneumatic conveying process of automatic feeding systems for deep-water off-shore cage culture, blockages of the pipeline and damage to feed pellets can easily occur. To solve these issues, a numerical simulation of the gas-solid two-phase flow of feed pellets in a pipeline was carried out. Based on gas-solid two-phase flow theory, both a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model and discrete element model were established. Furthermore, solutions of a coupled CFD-DEM simulation were used to analyze the motion of feed pellets within the pneumatic conveying pipeline and changes in the distribution of pellets at various locations from the initial state to steady-state motion were determined. The pressure in the pipeline at different positions is analyzed and compared, and the pressure drop from the inlet of the pipeline to the stable state of particle movement is obtained. The simulation results provide an important basis for the clogging damage mechanism of feed particles and the optimal design of feeding system equipment.