Particle tracking
Particle tracking function enables analyzing the flow behavior of particles.
In a case where the size of particles is as small as smoke or dust and they mostly flow with fluid, marker particle function can be used. This function assumes that the velocity of particles and fluid correspond. Animation 1 show a time-varying flow of particles.
Animation 1: Vorticity contour and marker particles in the flow field of Karman vortex street
In a situation where particles and fluid are given different velocities and interact, mass particle function can be used. For instance in a sand separator analysis, particles separating from fluid can readily be observed. Air bubbles that stir the surrounding liquid as the they rise due to buoyancy can also be analyzed.
Figure 1: Streamlines and pressure of a sand separator
Animation 1: Particles in a sand separator