Modeling of Solid Particle Erosion for a Water–Sand Impingement System Using OpenFOAM

Abstract

The development of accurate methodologies for a thorough comprehension of the erosion phenomenon is a challenging and necessary task. This study entailed an exhaustive analysis, incorporating empirical data obtained from an experiment involving the impingement of a sand and water jet on a submerged stainless-steel plate and numerical simulations, employing the Oka Erosion model that was compilated in OpenFOAM. The primary focus of this study was to generate W-shaped profiles delineating the impingement zone, derived both from experimental observations and the developed numerical model. This comparative approach facilitated a robust evaluation of the model’s efficacy in replicating erosion patterns. The outcomes of this analysis revealed a concurrence between the experimental and simulated erosion contours, affirming the model’s proficiency in representing erosion phenomena. Nevertheless, a minor discrepancy was noted, characterized by a slight underestimation of erosion rate and thickness loss. Furthermore, the investigation unveiled a noteworthy time-dependent trend in mass loss from the experimental data denoting a pseudo stabilization of the erosion rate across the time. This research contributes to the refinement of erosion modeling parameters and underscores the nature of time-dependent erosion behavior, a pivotal consideration for optimizing material durability.