Limitations on fluid grid sizing for using volume-averaged fluid equations in discrete element models of fluidized beds
Publication Date
2015-10-13Journal Title
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
ISSN
0888-5885
Publisher
ACS
Volume
54
Pages
10684-10697
Language
English
Type
Article
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Boyce, C. M., Holland, D., Dennis, J., & Scott, S. (2015). Limitations on fluid grid sizing for using volume-averaged fluid equations in discrete element models of fluidized beds. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 54 10684-10697. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.5b03186
Abstract
Bubbling and slugging fluidization were simulated in 3D cylindrical fluidized beds using a discrete element model with computational fluid dynamics (DEM-CFD). A CFD grid was used in which the volume of all fluid cells was equal. Ninety simulations were conducted with different fluid grid cell lengths in the vertical (dz) and radial (dr) directions to determine at what fluid grid sizes, as compared to the particle diameter (dp), the volume-averaged fluid equations broke down and the predictions became physically unrealistic. Simulations were compared with experimental results for time-averaged particle velocities as well as frequencies of pressure oscillations and bubble eruptions. The theoretical predictions matched experimental results most accurately when dz = 3-4 dp, with physically unrealistic predictions produced from grids with lower dz. Within the valid range of dz, variations of dr did not have a significant effect on the results.
Sponsorship
CMB acknowledges the Gates Cambridge Trust for funding his research.
Identifiers
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.5b03186
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/252324
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