|Table of Contents|

Citation:
　Hao Zhang,Wentao Hu,Fengwei Xu,et al.CFD–DEM Simulation of Erosion Degradation Mechanisms in Deep-Sea Mining Pipelines[J].Journal of Marine Science and Application,2026,(5):1318-1331.[doi:10.1007/s11804-026-00863-0]
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CFD–DEM Simulation of Erosion Degradation Mechanisms in Deep-Sea Mining Pipelines

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Title:
CFD–DEM Simulation of Erosion Degradation Mechanisms in Deep-Sea Mining Pipelines
Author(s):
Hao Zhang1; 2;  Wentao Hu2;  Fengwei Xu2;  Peng Gong2;  Ziyue Han3
Affilations:
Author(s):
Hao Zhang1; 2;  Wentao Hu2;  Fengwei Xu2;  Peng Gong2;  Ziyue Han3
1 School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China;
2 China Ship Scientific Research Center, Wuxi 214082, China;
3 School of Resources Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
Keywords:
Deep-sea mining pipeline; Erosion prediction; Liquid–solid flow; Coarse mineral particles; High volume fraction slurry
分类号:
-
DOI:
10.1007/s11804-026-00863-0
Abstract:
As terrestrial mineral resources continue to diminish, the global focus has significantly shifted toward deep-sea mining, driven by the escalating demand for critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt. Among various extraction methods, the pipe lifting technique has gained prominence owing to its substantial commercial viability. Nevertheless, this method faces significant operational challenges, including intricate flow dynamics, pipe wall erosions, and blockages caused by the continuous transport of particulate matter. This study investigates the influence of mineral particle size, the slurry velocity, volume fraction, and shear modulus on pipeline erosion. To enhance the precision of erosion prediction, a solid-liquid coupling optimization model was developed utilizing the Gaussian volume distribution method. Orthogonal experiments and single-factor analyses revealed that the slurry velocity and mineral particle size predominantly influence the erosion rate. The findings of this study elucidate the underlying mechanisms of pipeline erosion in deep-sea mining operations and offer crucial data for the advancement and design of deep-sea transportation systems.

References:

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Memo

Memo:
Received date:2025-3-17;Accepted date:2025-11-7。<br>Foundation item:Acknowledgement:Supported by Jiangsu Province’s Frontier Technology R & D Program (BF2025015), the China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited Special Project (Grant No. 202205Z) and the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2021YFC 2801600).<br>Corresponding author:Hao Zhang,E-mail:zhanghaocoolcool@163.com
Last Update: 2026-11-04