Pedrolli, LorenzoAchiaga, BeatrizMartínez de Arenaza, IngerLópez García, Alejandro2024-11-062024-11-062024Pedrolli, L., Achiaga Menor, B., Martinez de Arenaza, I., & López, A. (2024). Comparison of CFD-DEM and MP-PIC in the simulation of metal powder conveying for Laser Metal Deposition. OpenFOAM® Journal, 4, 26-40. https://doi.org/10.51560/OFJ.V4.912753-816810.51560/OFJ.V4.91http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14454/1673Pneumatic conveying of fine powders is essential for many industrial processes, includingLaser Metal Deposition (LMD), a Direct Metal Additive Manufacturing (DMAM) technology that buildssolid objects layer-by-layer using a laser to melt metal powder. To optimize the process, it is necessaryto have a correct understanding of the powder’s behaviour under the process condition.The coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics - Discrete Element Modelling (CFD-DEM) and MultiPhase- Particle In Cell (MP-PIC) are two popular Eulerian-Lagrangian models to simulate particleladen flows. This study compares them to analyse powder behaviour in a small channel of LMD machines.Results from the two methods differ significantly, with CFD-DEM offering a more accuraterepresentation of the physical reality, while MP-PIC is more computationally efficient. The study findsthat the CFD-DEM method produces higher fluctuations in the solids flow rate due to the formationof particle clusters, while MP-PIC displays a smooth and essentially uniform flow. The results suggestthat CFD-DEM should be used for more accurate and detailed studies of solids flow rate in pneumaticconveying systems, while MP-PIC can be used for preliminary studies and design optimization.eng© 2024 The AuthorsPneumatic conveyingParticle-laden flowsLagrangian Multiphasejournal article2024-11-06