Impact of Particle Shape on Aerodynamic Forces in Compressible Flows

Recent research has focused on the aerodynamic behavior of non-spherical particles in compressible flows, revealing significant insights into how particle shape affects aerodynamic forces. The study, titled "Correlations for aerodynamic force coefficients of non-spherical particles in compressible flows," was conducted by Christian Gorges, Victor Chéron, Anjali Chopra, Fabian Denner, and Berend van Wachem. It was submitted to arXiv on August 25, 2024, and can be accessed here.

The researchers utilized particle-resolved direct numerical simulations to analyze three distinct particle shapes: prolate spheroids, oblate spheroids, and rod-like particles. These simulations were carried out across a range of Mach numbers (0.3 to 2.0), angles of attack (0° to 90°), and particle Reynolds numbers (100 to 300).

Findings indicate that the shape of the particles plays a crucial role in determining the aerodynamic forces acting on them in compressible flows. Notably, oblate spheroids exhibited the highest values for drag, lift, and torque. The study developed and validated correlations for these aerodynamic coefficients, which are expected to enhance the accuracy of multiphase flow modeling, particularly in point-particle simulations involving non-spherical particles.

This research contributes to a deeper understanding of fluid dynamics, particularly in applications where the behavior of non-spherical particles is critical, such as in industrial processes and environmental science.