The filling process is a crucial step in the operation of batch peeler centrifuges, but one that is still poorly understood. It has a significant influence on the pre-acceleration of the suspension, the build-up of centrifugal pressure over time, and the subsequent formation of the filter cake, and thus on the efficiency filter cake washing and mechanical dewatering. In industrial practice, the design of filling systems and operating parameters has been based on simplified analytical assumptions, in particular the rigid body rotation of the liquid, as well as extensive empirical testing. This approach is reaching its limits against the backdrop of increasing efficiency requirements, growing product diversity, and mounting competitive pressure.

The aim of this work is to develop a simulation-based methodology for the detailed investigation of the filling process in horizontal and vertical peeler centrifuges. The initial focus is on the temporal and spacial resolved description of the liquid flow during filling in order to quantify the influence of operating parameters such as inflow volume flow and pre-acceleration speed of the liquid and the build-up in the centrifugal field. Methodologically, the Volume-of-Fluid (VoF) method is a promising approach, which allow the mapping of free liquid surfaces in the rotating reference system. The simulations are performed using a rotational boundary condition in order to realistically represent the interaction between the stationary feed system and the rotating drum. Current work focuses on the implementation and further development of suitable filling elements and grid generation, as well as on the analysis of transient filling behavior with pure liquid as a reference case.

Initial parameter study results show that...