Numerical simulation of drag on local particle cluster within a high void fraction environment in supercritical water

The drag of particle cluster within a high void fraction environment in supercritical water (SCW) is investigated by numerical simulation. The results show that the description pattern of particle drag in SCW is the same as that in constant property flow (CPF). The diffusion of pressure in the phenomenon of fluid flow around particle cluster caused that the variation pattern of drag coefficient is contrary to the classical conclusion. The normalized drag coefficient is mainly depending on the thermal properties. The internal flow characteristics of the particle cluster further confirm the effects of fluid flow around it. After separating the effects of thermal properties, the exponent -β representing the effects of void fraction in SCW is similar to that in CPF. A correlation for calculating the particle drag in SCW is developed based on this result.