Pore-Scale Simulation of the Interaction between a Single Water Droplet and a Hydrophobic Wire Mesh Screen in Diesel

Recently, the trend towards sustainable energy production and pollution control has motivated increased consumption of ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) or bio-fuels. Such fuels have relatively low surface tension with water therefore, separation from fuel become a challenging problem. The process relies on using porous structures for collection removal droplets. Hence, understanding interaction between droplets separators is vital. simplest geometry separator wire mesh screen, which used in many modern water–diesel separators. Thus, it considered here systematic study. In this work, pore-scale computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed OpenFOAM® (an open-source C++ toolbox simulations) coupled new accurate scheme computation force. First, two validation test cases compared to experimental observations corresponding bubble-point tests. Second, order describe screens, different parameters: mean velocity, open area ratio, fiber radii, Young–Laplace contact angle, droplet radius. New correlations obtained average reduction (clogging), pressure drop, retention criteria.