Interaction of fluid with porous structure in filtration processes: modelling and simulation of pleats deflection

Abstract

Nowadays computer simulations are widely used in assisting filter element design. However, there is a lack robust algorithms, and software tools, which are able to simulate the coupled flow and deformation of filtering medium. Motivated by the earlier success in developing software tools for filtration simulation in the case of rigid filtering medium, as well as in developing software tools for optimal shape design and topological optimization, Fraunhofer ITWM started a development of algorithms and software for simulation of pleats deflection, as a part of complete filter element simulation. A model describing the coupled flow and deformations, as well as first results from certain numerical simulations, are presented in this paper.