A 2.5D Computational Method to Simulate Cylindrical Fluidized Beds

Journal Article · Tue Feb 17 00:00:00 EST 2015 · Chemical Engineering Science, 123:236-246

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2014.11.022· OSTI ID:1170045

Li, Tingwen; Benyahia, Sofiane; Dietiker, Jeff; Musser, Jordan; Sun, Xin

In this paper, the limitations of axisymmetric and Cartesian two-dimensional (2D) simulations of cylindrical gas-solid fluidized beds are discussed. A new method has been proposed to carry out pseudo-two-dimensional (2.5D) simulations of a cylindrical fluidized bed by appropriately combining computational domains of Cartesian 2D and axisymmetric simulations. The proposed method was implemented in the open-source code MFIX and applied to the simulation of a lab-scale bubbling fluidized bed with necessary sensitivity study. After a careful grid study to ensure the numerical results are grid independent, detailed comparisons of the flow hydrodynamics were presented against axisymmetric and Cartesian 2D simulations. Furthermore, the 2.5D simulation results have been compared to the three-dimensional (3D) simulation for evaluation. This new approach yields better agreement with the 3D simulation results than with axisymmetric and Cartesian 2D simulations.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1170045
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-104929; AA9010100
• Journal Information: Chemical Engineering Science, 123:236-246, Journal Name: Chemical Engineering Science, 123:236-246
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English