Numerical analysis of the distribution rule for suspended granule concentration in labyrinth integrated emitter

The labyrinth emitter's channel is very small and the structure is relatively complex. The irrigation water usually includes suspended sand granules even though the water has been filtrated. It is necessary to analyze the influence factors of the granules distribution in the emitter for improving emitter structure. Based on two-phase flow theory, CFD approach is introduced into the liquid-solid two-phase flow simulation in emitter in this paper. An Eulerian model of multiphase approach was used to simulate the water/sand granule flow. The velocity field and suspended granule distribution were carried out, the effects of granule size and initial volume fraction on the granules distribution were analyzed. Results show that the granule concentration increases at the inlet, store, and corner and upwind surface of labyrinth channel. Except the tooth and the downwind surface of labyrinth channel, the granule concentration increases with the increase of granule size. In general, the granule volume faction increases with the increase of inlet granule concentration, but its changing trend varies at different positions.