Mechanistic based DEM simulation of particle attrition in a jet cup

• Published in: Powder technology Vol. 253; pp. 385 - 392
• Main Authors: Xu, Wei, DeCroix, David S., Sun, Xin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.02.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Catalysis; Catalytic reactions; Chemical engineering; Chemistry; Computational fluid dynamics; Discrete element model; Exact sciences and technology; Fluidization; Fluidization system; General and physical chemistry; Miscellaneous; Particle attrition; Reactors; Solid-solid systems; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Particle attrition; Discrete element model; Computational fluid dynamics; Fluidization system; Particle size; Sensitivity analysis; Cyclone; Fluidization; Discrete element method; Attrition; Density; Modeling; Operating conditions; Riser; Catalyst; Fluidized bed
• ISSN: 0032-5910; 1873-328X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2013.11.031

The attrition of particles is a major industrial concern in many fluidization systems as it can have undesired effects on the product quality and on the reliable operation of process equipment. Therefore, to accommodate the screening and selection of catalysts for a specific process in fluidized beds, risers, or cyclone applications, their attrition propensity is usually estimated through jet cup attrition testing, where the test material is subjected to high gas velocities in a jet cup. However, this method is far from perfect despite its popularity, largely due to its inconsistency in different testing set-ups. In order to better understand the jet cup testing results as well as their sensitivity to different operating conditions, a coupled computational fluid dynamic (CFD)–discrete element method (DEM) model has been developed in the current study to investigate the particle attrition in a jet cup and its dependence on various factors, e.g. jet velocity, initial particle size, particle density, and apparatus geometry. [Display omitted] •A mechanistic based particle attrition model was developed.•Two attrition mechanisms are considered, impact breakage and abrasive wear.•The attrition rate is strongly affected by air velocity.•The dependence of attrition on particle size is found to be quite nonlinear.•Particle density is another crucial metric to the catalyst attrition.