Kinetic theory based computation of hydrodynamics and mass transfer in fluidized beds

Abstract

The fluidized bed systems were modeled using computational fluid dynamics simulation with kinetic theory of granular flow. The proposed numerical models give better result than the previous published models. The models thus are suitable for providing more information about particle cluster and other in-depth parameters those described the hydrodynamics and mass transfer. This knowledge will lead to efficient system design. The computed particle cluster diameters using kinetic theory of granular flow method and particle cluster concentrations using statistical method agree with the published empirical correlations. The models were accurately used to calculate the granular temperatures and the dispersion coefficients. Then, the mass transfer coefficients and the Sherwood numbers were estimated based on particle cluster diameters and were computed using the concept of additive resistances with chemical reaction. The novel system geometry designs were also studied. These results provide the criteria for choosing system geometry with different reaction characteristics. The tapered-out and tapered-in risers will suit for the reactions with fast and slow rates, respectively. Besides, some in-depth hydrodynamics parameters were obtained from real experiment in the fluidized bed system.