Multi-fidelity kinetic theory-based approach for the prediction of particle attrition: Application to jet cup attrition system

• Published in: Powder technology Vol. 391; no. C; pp. 227 - 238
• Main Authors: Konan, N'dri A., Huckaby, E. David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.10.2021; Elsevier BV; Elsevier
• Subjects: Accuracy; Attrition rate; Collision energy spectrum; Comminution; Computer applications; Energy spectra; Fluidized bed reactors; Fluidized beds; Hematite; Jet cup; Kinetic theory; Powder technology; Predictions; Reactors; Collision energy spectrum; Kinetic theory; Jet cup; Attrition rate
• ISSN: 0032-5910; 1873-328X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2021.06.014

The timescale difference between the “fast” flow dynamics of fluidized bed reactors and the relatively “slow” rate of particle degradation makes the direct computational prediction of attrition challenging. An approach to this challenge is a multi-fidelity strategy where a high fidelity model for the flow dynamics is coupled with a lower fidelity model for the long-time resolution of the bulk attrition of the reactor inventory. We implement this approach using high-fidelity kinetic theory simulations to calculate the flow dynamics which are post-processed to calculate the frequency and intensity of the particle-particle and particle-wall collisions (e.g. collision energy spectra). This is combined with the particle breakage properties to construct the coefficients for a low-fidelity model [e.g. Monazam et al., 2018, Powder Technology 340, p. 528–536]. Simulations are performed of a jet cup attrition system containing Canadian hematite (Monazam et al. 2018). These are first analyzed using the collision energy spectra. Quantitative predictions of the mass loss are made using a low-fidelity model derived from the collision-spectra and a calibrated material breakage coefficient. The results are found to compare favorably with the experimental measurements. [Display omitted] •Proposed a kinetic theory-based approach for calculation of the collision energy spectra.•Predictions and analysis of jet cup flow dynamics over a range of cup loadings and flow rates.•Steady state attrition prediction using the first moment of the collision energy spectra.