Fluid dynamics of a pressurized fluidized bed: comparison between numerical solutions from two-fluid models and experimental results

• Published in: Chemical engineering science Vol. 54; no. 3; pp. 329 - 342
• Main Authors: Enwald, H., Almstedt, A.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.02.1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Fluidization; Fluidized bed; Granular flow theory; Turbulence; Two-fluid model; Validation; Validation; Turbulence; Granular flow theory; Two-fluid model; Fluidized bed; Volume fraction; Two fluid model; Hydrodynamics; Two dimensional model; Fluidization; Bubbling; Bubble; Three dimensional model; Statistical parameter; Gas solid; Numerical simulation; Rising velocity; Drift velocity
• ISSN: 0009-2509; 1873-4405
• DOI: 10.1016/S0009-2509(98)00187-0

A validation of four different two-fluid model closures was carried out to investigate the effect of gas-phase turbulence, drift velocity and three dimensionality on the fluid dynamics of a bubbling fluidized bed. At atmospheric conditions, it is verified that gas-phase turbulence has a negligible effect for the bed material and operating conditions used in the investigation, whereas the validation shows some evidence that the gas-phase turbulence has a significant contribution for higher pressures. The drift velocity shows no noticeable effect on the results at any pressure. A comparison between two- and three-dimensional calculations at atmospheric pressure shows that the three-dimensional effects appear to be considerable.