Numerical Analysis of Erodible Particle Transport over a Rough Surface with 20% Non-Erodible Elements Using LES and Euler-Lagrange

Resumo

Wind erosion is a relevant environmental and industrial phenomenon, with impacts on air quality, public health, and the operation of logistical systems, particularly in the mining sector. The release of fine particles into the atmosphere depends on factors such as surface roughness, which influences the development of turbulent structures in the near-surface flow. This study proposes to numerically analyze the transport and emission of erodible particles over a surface with 20% coverage by non-erodible elements, represented by cylindrical bodies—a condition commonly observed in real environments.Simulations will be performed using the Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) approach coupled with the Euler-Lagrange method, enabling accurate representation of large-scale turbulent structures and individual particle motion. The continuous phase will be solved using the Navier–Stokes equations with LES, while the particulate phase (sand particles between 60–100 μm) will be modeled in a Lagrangian framework, accounting for drag, gravity, cohesion, and collisions. Boundary conditions will include periodic boundaries and a rough bottom wall, with particle emission occurring when the local friction velocity exceeds a critical threshold.The focus will be on analyzing particle concentration distribution and transport over the bed with 20% roughness, evaluating the effect of non-erodible particles on the formation of coherent flow structures, recirculation zones, and variations in shear stress. Different boundary conditions for particles will be tested to assess their influence on the dynamics of emission and transport.The results are expected to support the development of more robust predictive emission models, with applications in dust control, planning of particulate material storage areas, and environmental studies related to wind erosion. This case study will also serve as a foundation for future analyses involving other roughness configurations.