Parametric study of jet angles ( α , β , γ ) on the collecting performance of a triplex-row nozzle hydraulic collector with Coandă-assisted flow

Combining the advantages of the double-row jet and Coandă-based collection mechanisms, this study proposes a specific triplex-row nozzle hydraulic collector. Specifically, the lower double-row jet provides the upward force necessary for lifting nodule particles, while the upper jet, integrated with a Coandă wall, generates an induced flow that facilitates particle migration within the transport channel. Few studies have focused on how the angles of the triplex-row nozzle hydraulic collector influence collection performance. In this study, a CFD (computational fluid dynamics)–DEM (discrete element method) coupled approach is validated through collection experiments and further applied to investigate the effects of nozzle angles using orthogonal analysis. The results indicate that the angle α of the front nozzle and angle β of the rear nozzle in the lower double-row configuration predominantly influence the overall collection process, whereas the angle γ of the upper nozzle primarily adjusts the direction of the nodule particle movement.