Aerodynamic coefficient models for disk-shaped biomass particles with low aspect ratios.

This article focuses on developing new aerodynamic coefficient correlations for disk-shaped biomass particles used in biomass co-firing within coal-fired power plant boilers. Employing direct numerical simulation (DNS) with the body-fitted mesh method in OpenFOAM, the study analyzes drag, lift, and torque coefficients across aspect ratios (Ar) from 0 to 1, Reynolds numbers (Re) between 1 and 2000, and angles of attack (θ) from 0° to 90°. The results reveal that these coefficients depend strongly on particle geometry, flow conditions, and orientation, with drag peaking near θ = 60°–75°, and lift and torque peaking near θ = 45°. The newly derived correlations demonstrate high accuracy, validated against existing experimental and numerical data with root mean square errors below 0.085 and relative errors under 5% for Re ≤ 300, thereby providing a robust model for simulating non-spherical biomass particle dynamics in industrial multiphase flow applications.