Multiscale methods for simulation of paper making
Doctoral thesis, 2019
In this work, multiscale methods for simulation of paper making are developed. The emphasis is on simulation of the paper forming process and simulation of the mechanical properties of paper sheets.
To simulate paper forming, a novel fiber-fiber interaction method is proposed. The method is developed to handle contact forces active on scales down to tens of nanometres. The DLVO theory, based on van der Waals and electrostatic forces, governs the fiber-fiber interaction together with a repulsion force developed to assure numerical stability for fiber motion resolved with discrete time stepping. The interaction method is incorporated as one of four sub-models in a fiber suspension model. The other three sub-models are a fluid model governed by Navier-Stokes equations, a fiber model governed by beam theory, and a fluid-fiber and fiber-fluid interaction model based on an immersed boundary method and experimental drag force expressions. The fiber suspension model is used to simulate fiber lay downs onto an industrial forming fabric. The resulting virtual fiber sheets are investigated by simulation of the air flow through the sheets. The simulated permeabilities agree well with experimental data for sheets with low density. The proposed framework is able to create three-dimensional fiber networks which can be used for investigation of mechanical or penetration properties of the sheets.
The flow conditions during the initial state of paper forming is studied by simulating the flow over cylinder configurations and three industrial forming fabrics. The impact from the structures on the upstream flow is analysed. Novel impact measures are defined to improve the characterization of forming fabrics and their impact on the flow.
For simulation of the mechanical properties of paper sheets, a numerical multiscale method for discrete network models is developed. A fiber network model is proposed, representing fibers and bonds as edges and nodes. In the numerical multiscale method, the fiber network is approximated by a coarse grid, which together with bilinear basis functions defines a low-dimensional coarse space. The coarse space is modified by solving sub-local problems resulting in corrections of the bilinear basis functions. The resulting corrected basis spans a low-dimensional multiscale space with good approximation properties for unstructured heterogeneous networks with highly varying properties. Numerical examples show that the proposed method has optimal order convergence rates for such complex networks.
To simulate paper forming, a novel fiber-fiber interaction method is proposed. The method is developed to handle contact forces active on scales down to tens of nanometres. The DLVO theory, based on van der Waals and electrostatic forces, governs the fiber-fiber interaction together with a repulsion force developed to assure numerical stability for fiber motion resolved with discrete time stepping. The interaction method is incorporated as one of four sub-models in a fiber suspension model. The other three sub-models are a fluid model governed by Navier-Stokes equations, a fiber model governed by beam theory, and a fluid-fiber and fiber-fluid interaction model based on an immersed boundary method and experimental drag force expressions. The fiber suspension model is used to simulate fiber lay downs onto an industrial forming fabric. The resulting virtual fiber sheets are investigated by simulation of the air flow through the sheets. The simulated permeabilities agree well with experimental data for sheets with low density. The proposed framework is able to create three-dimensional fiber networks which can be used for investigation of mechanical or penetration properties of the sheets.
The flow conditions during the initial state of paper forming is studied by simulating the flow over cylinder configurations and three industrial forming fabrics. The impact from the structures on the upstream flow is analysed. Novel impact measures are defined to improve the characterization of forming fabrics and their impact on the flow.
For simulation of the mechanical properties of paper sheets, a numerical multiscale method for discrete network models is developed. A fiber network model is proposed, representing fibers and bonds as edges and nodes. In the numerical multiscale method, the fiber network is approximated by a coarse grid, which together with bilinear basis functions defines a low-dimensional coarse space. The coarse space is modified by solving sub-local problems resulting in corrections of the bilinear basis functions. The resulting corrected basis spans a low-dimensional multiscale space with good approximation properties for unstructured heterogeneous networks with highly varying properties. Numerical examples show that the proposed method has optimal order convergence rates for such complex networks.
Paper making
Numerical upscaling
Lay down simulations
Virtual paper sheets
Fiber network model
Forming fabric flow
Fiber suspension flow
Fiber-fiber interaction
Multiscale methods
Fluid structure interaction
Euler
Opponent: Artem Kulachenko
Author
Gustav Kettil
Chalmers, Mathematical Sciences, Applied Mathematics and Statistics
Paper-based materials are very important and used in a range of applications. Paper is built up of fibers bonded together in a network structure. Experimental investigation of paper can be both expensive and complex. Computer simulation is a tool that can facilitate the investigation of paper properties. Imagine a software in which virtual paper sheets can be created and the resulting properties, for example mechanical strength or water penetration, can be evaluated by simulation. However, the complex heterogenous structure of paper requires advanced computational methods to enable such calculations.
In this work, methods for simulation of paper making and the resulting mechanical properties are developed. The presented methods enable simulations of thousands of paper fibers suspended in a fluid, flowing down on a woven fabric onto which the virtual paper sheet builds up. The flow properties during the paper formation is studied to increase the understanding of the impact of the fabric on the flow. A novel numerical method is proposed which can be used to simulate the mechanical properties of large paper sheets.
In this work, methods for simulation of paper making and the resulting mechanical properties are developed. The presented methods enable simulations of thousands of paper fibers suspended in a fluid, flowing down on a woven fabric onto which the virtual paper sheet builds up. The flow properties during the paper formation is studied to increase the understanding of the impact of the fabric on the flow. A novel numerical method is proposed which can be used to simulate the mechanical properties of large paper sheets.
Subject Categories
Applied Mechanics
Computational Mathematics
Other Physics Topics
ISBN
978-91-7905-130-3
Doktorsavhandlingar vid Chalmers tekniska högskola. Ny serie: 4597
Publisher
Chalmers
Euler
Opponent: Artem Kulachenko