CFD simulations of bubbling beds of rough spheres

Hydrodynamics of three-dimensional gas-solid bubbling fluidized beds are numerically analyzed. The particle-particle interactions are simulated from the kinetic theory for flow of dense, slightly inelastic, slightly rough sphere proposed by Lun [1991. Kinetic theory for granular flow of dense, slightly inelastic, slightly rough sphere. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 233, 539-559] to account for rough sphere binary collisions and the frictional stress model proposed by Johnson et al. [1990. Frictional-collisional equations of motion for particulate flows and their application to chutes. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 210, 501-535] to consider the frictional contact forces between particles. The present model is evaluated by measured particle distributions and velocities of Yuu et al. [2001. Numerical simulation of air and particle motions in group-B particle turbulent fluidized bed. Powder Technology 118, 32-44] and experimental bed expansion of Taghipour et al. [2005. Experimental and computational study of gas-solid fluidized bed hydrodynamics. Chemical Engineering Science 60, 6857-6867]. Our computed results indicated that the present model gives better agreement with experimental data than the results from original kinetic theory for frictionless slightly inelastic sphere of Ding and Gidaspow [1990. A bubbling fluidization model using kinetic theory of granular flow. A.I.Ch.E. Journal 36, 523-538] with and without solid friction stress model.     

A critical comparison of frictional stress models applied to the simulation of bubbling fluidized beds

The behaviour of a gas-solid flow in a bubbling fluidized bed operated near the minimum fluidization condition is strongly influenced by the frictional stresses between the particles, these being highly concentrated and their motion dominated by enduring contact among them and with the walls.The effect of the introduction of frictional stresses in a Eulerian-Eulerian two fluid model based on the kinetic theory of the granular flow is evaluated. The models of Johnson and Jackson [1987. Frictional-collisional constitutive relations for granular materials, with application to plane shearing. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 176, 67-93], Syamlal et al. [1993. Mfix documentation: volume I, theory guide. Technical Report DOE/METC-9411004, NTIS/DE9400087, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA], and Srivastava and Sundaresan [2003. Analysis of a frictional-kinetic model for gas-particle flow. Powder Technology 129, 72-85] are compared with the kinetic theory of the granular flow and with experimental data both in a bubbling fluidized bed with a central jet and in a bubbling fluidized bed with a porous distributor. The predicted evolution of the bubble diameter along the height of the fluidized beds is examined, the shapes of the bubbles predicted by the models are compared and the evolution in time of the bubbles is shown. In the case of the bed with a central jet, the bubble detachment time is also calculated. The results show that the introduction of a frictional stress model improves the prediction of the bubbles diameter in a bubbling fluidized bed with a central jet and positively affects the bubbles diameter distribution in a uniformly fed bubbling fluidized bed. The high sensitivity of the model to the value of the particulate phase fraction at which frictional stresses start to be accounted for is pointed out through a sensitivity analysis performed on the Srivastava and Sundaresan [2003. Analysis of a frictional-kinetic model for gas-particle flow. Powder Technology 129, 72-85] model.     

A second-order moment method of dense gas-solid flow for bubbling fluidization

A gas-solid two-fluid model with the second-order moment method is presented to close the set of equations applied to fluidization. With the kinetic theory of granular flow, transport equations for the velocity moments are derived for the particle phase. Closure equations for the third-order moments of velocity and for the fluid-particle velocity correlation are presented. The former is based on a modified model with the contribution of the increase of the binary collision probability, and the latter uses an algebraic model proposed by Koch and Sangani [1999. Particle pressure and marginal stability limits for a homogeneous monodisperse gas-fluidized bed: kinetic theory and numerical simulations. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 400, 229-263]. Boundary conditions for the set of equations describing flow of particles proposed by Strumendo and Canu [2002. Method of moments for the dilute granular flow of inelastic spheres. Physical Review E 66, 041304/1-041304/20] are modified with the consideration of the momentum exchange by collisions between the wall and particles. Flow behavior of gas and particles is performed by means of gas-solid two-fluid model with the second-order moment model of particles in the bubbling fluidized bed. The distributions of velocity and moments of particles are predicted in the bubbling fluidized bed. Predictions are compared with experimental data measured by Muller et al. [2008. Granular temperature: comparison of magnetic resonance measurements with discrete element model simulations. Powder Technology 184, 241-253] and Yuu et al. [2000. Numerical simulation of air and particle motions in bubbling fluidized bed of small particles. Powder Technology 110, 158-168]. in the bubbling fluidized beds. The simulated second-order moment in the vertical direction is 1.1-2.5 [Muller, C.R., Holland, D.J., Sedeman, A.J., Scott, S.A., Dennis, J.S., Gladden, L.F., 2008. Granular temperature: comparison of magnetic resonance measurements with discrete element model simulations. Powder Technology 184, 241-253] and 1.1-4.0 [Yuu, S., Umekage, T., Johno, Y., 2000. Numerical simulation of air and particle motions in bubbling fluidized bed of small particles. Powder Technology 110, 158-168] times larger than that in the lateral direction because of higher velocity fluctuations for particles in the bubble fluidized bed. The bubblelike Reynolds normal stresses per unit bulk density used by Gidaspow et al. [2004. Hydrodynamics of fluidization using kinetic theory: an emerging paradigm 2002 Flour-Daniel lecture. Powder Technology 148, 123-141.] are computed from the simulated hydrodynamic velocities. The predictions are in agreement with experimental second-order moments measured by Muller et al. [2008. Granular temperature: comparison of magnetic resonance measurements with discrete element model simulations. Powder Technology 184, 241-253] and fluctuating velocity of particles measured by Yuu et al. [2000. Numerical simulation of air and particle motions in bubbling fluidized bed of small particles. Powder Technology 110, 158-168].     

Critical comparison of hydrodynamic models for gas-solid fluidized beds—Part I : bubbling gas-solid fluidized beds operated with a jet

In the Eulerian approach to model gas-solid fluidized beds closures are required for the internal momentum transfer in the particulate phase. Firstly, two closure models, one semi-empirical model assuming a constant viscosity of the solid phase (CVM) and a second model based on the kinetic theory of granular flow (KTGF), have been compared in this part in their performance to describe bubble formation at a single orifice and the time-averaged porosity profiles in the bed using experimental data obtained for a pseudo two-dimensional fluidized bed operated with a jet in the center. Numerical simulations have shown that bubble growth at a nozzle with a jet is mainly determined by the drag experienced by the gas percolating through the compaction region around the bubble interface, which is not much influenced by particle-particle interactions, so that the KTGF and CVM give very similar predictions. However, this KTGF model does not account for the long term and multi particle-particle contacts (frictional stresses) and under-predicts the solid phase viscosity at the wall as well as around the bubble and therefore over-predicts the bed expansion. Therefore, in the later part of the paper, the bubble growth at a single orifice and the time-averaged porosity distribution in the bed predicted by the KTGF model with and without frictional stresses are compared with experimental data. The model predictions by the KTGF are improved significantly by the incorporation of frictional stresses, which are however strongly influenced by the empirical parameters in this model. In Part II the comparison of the CVM and KTGF with experimental results is extended to freely bubbling fluidized beds.     

颗粒旋转对鼓泡流化床内气固两相流动特性影响的数值模拟

运用考虑颗粒自旋转流动对颗粒碰撞能量交换和耗散影响的颗粒动理学方法,建立鼓泡流化床气固两相Euler-Euler双流体模型,数值模拟流化床内气体颗粒两相流动特性。分析表明,颗粒平动温度与旋转温度之比是法向和切向颗粒弹性恢复系数和摩擦系数的函数。与不考虑颗粒旋转效应计算结果相比,考虑颗粒旋转效应后床内较容易形成气泡,颗粒自旋转运动将导致床内非均匀结构更明显。并且床层平均空隙率和床层膨胀高度增加,床中心区域颗粒轴向速度提高,床内颗粒平动温度下降。考虑颗粒旋转效应后预测的颗粒轴向速度和颗粒脉动速度与文献实验结果基本吻合。考虑颗粒旋转效应后获得的气泡直径更接近于前人经验关联式。     

CFD simulation of the high shear mixing process using kinetic theory of granular flow and frictional stress models

In order to enhance process understanding and to develop predictive process models in high shear granulation, there is an ongoing search for simulation tools and experimental methods to model and measure the velocity and shear fields in the mixer. In this study, the Eulerian-Eulerian approach to model multiphase flows has been used to simulate the mixer flow. Experimental velocity profiles for the solid phase at the wall in the mixer have been obtained using a high speed camera following the experimental procedure as described by Darelius et al. [2007a. Measurement of the velocity field and frictional properties of wet masses in a high shear mixer. Chemical Engineering Science, 62, 2366-2374]. The governing equations for modelling the dense mixer flow have been closed by using closure relations from the kinetic theory of granular flow (KTGF) combined with frictional stress models. The free slip and partial slip boundary conditions for the solid phase velocity at the vessel wall have been utilized. The partial slip model originally developed for dilute flows by Tu and Fletcher [1995. Numerical computation of turbulent gas-solid particle flow in a 90^° bend. A.I.Ch.E. Journal, 41, 2187-2197] has been employed. It was found that the bed height could be well predicted by implementing the partial slip model, whereas the free slip model could not capture the experimentally found bed height satisfactorily. In the simulation, the swirling motion of the rotating torus formed was over-predicted and the tangential wall velocity was under-predicted, probably due to the fact that the frictional stress model needs to be further developed, e.g. to tackle cohesive particles in dense flow. The advantage of using the Eulerian-Eulerian approach compared to discrete element methods is that there is no computational limitation on the number of particles being modelled, and thus manufacturing scale granulators can be modelled as well.     

Numerical simulations of flow behavior of gas and particles in spouted beds using frictional-kinetic stresses model

Flow behavior of gas and particles is simulated in the spouted beds using a Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid model on the basis of kinetic theory of granular flow. The kinetic-frictional constitutive model for dense assemblies of solids is incorporated. The kinetic stress is modeled using the kinetic theory of granular flow, while the friction stress is from the combination of the normal frictional stress model proposed by Johnson and Jackson (1987) and the frictional shear viscosity model proposed by Schaeffer (1987) to account for strain rate fluctuations and slow relaxation of the assembly to the yield surface. An inverse tangent function is used to provide a smooth transitioning from the plastic and viscous regimes. The distributions of concentration, velocity and granular temperature of particles are obtained in the spouted bed. Calculated particle velocities and concentrations in spouted beds are in agreement with the experimental data obtained by He et al. (1994a, b). Simulated results indicate that flow behavior of particles is affected by the concentration of the transition point in spouted beds.     

Experimental validation of CFD models for fluidized beds: Influence of particle stress models, gas phase compressibility and air inflow models

This work compares numerical simulations of fluid dynamics in fluidized beds using different closure models and air feed system models. The numerical results are compared to experiments by means of power spectral density distributions of fluctuating pressure signals and bubble statistics obtained from capacitance probe measurements. Two different particle rheology models are tested in combination with two different values of the maximum particle volume fraction. The first particle model predicts the particle pressure by an exponential power law and assumes a constant particle viscosity (CPV), and the second model predicts the stresses using the kinetic theory of granular flow (KTGF). Furthermore, two model approaches for the air inflow are evaluated. The first inflow model includes the coupling between the air-feed system and the fluidized bed in the simulation, and the second model assumes a constant mass flow of gas into the fluidized bed. Finally, the influence of the compressibility of the gas phase on the numerical predictions is investigated. The numerical simulations are made using the CFX-4.4 commercial flow solver.The simulations show that the KTGF model gives a more evenly distributed bubble flow profile over the bed cross-section, while the CPV model gives a more parabolic bubble flow profile, with a higher bubble flow in the central part of the bed. This work shows that the KTGF model results are in significantly better agreement with the experiments. It is furthermore shown that the modelling of the air-feed system is crucial to for predicting the overall bed dynamic behaviour.     

Numerical simulation of flow behavior of particles and clusters in riser using two granular temperatures

Cluster in CFB riser significantly affects performance of circulating fluidized beds. To model hydrodynamic behavior in CFB risers, three phase flows were assumed in the riser, the gas phase, the dispersed particle phase, and the clusters phase. The gas-solid multi-fluid model is extended to give the macroscopic averaged equations with constitutive equations for both particle phases from kinetic theory of granular flow. The clusters and the dispersed particles have their own fluctuating energy or two individual granular temperatures. Interactions between the cluster and its surrounding dispersed particles were obtained from kinetic theory of granular flow. Drag force for gas to dispersed particles and the clusters are empirically determined. The momentum exchange between dispersed particles and clusters is modeled using the concept of molecular dynamics. Cluster properties are predicted with the cluster-based approach. The distributions of volume fractions and velocities of gas, dispersed particles and clusters are predicted. Computed solid mass fluxes and volume fractions agree with Manyele et al. [S.V. Manyele, J.H. Parssinen, J.X. Zhu, Characterizing particle aggregates in a high-density and high-flux CFB riser, Chemical Engineering Journal, 88 (2002) 151-161.] and Knowlton [T.M. Knowlton, Modelling benchmark exercise. Workshop at the Eighth Engineering Foundation Conference on Fluidization, Tours, France, 1995.] experimental data.     

有机硅单体合成的气固流化床的三维数值模拟

为了探索有机硅单体合成气固流化床内硅粉颗粒的流化特性,作者利用计算流体力学CFD软件,采用双欧拉气固两相流模型及SIMPLE算法,模拟了三维的气固流化床内硅粉颗粒的流化特性;分析了气泡生成、长大和破裂的过程,及不同床层高度的固体颗粒运动速度矢量图,不同床层高度处横截面颗粒体积分数变化。结果表明:三维模拟能直观的表现颗粒在流化床中的流化状态,为工业生产及应用提供了有效的依据。     

稠密气固两相流动的颗粒二阶矩方法及鼓泡床流化特性的模拟

采用颗粒动理学方法,考虑颗粒速度脉动各向异性,建立颗粒相二阶矩模型。应用初等输运理论,对三阶关联项进行模化和封闭。考虑颗粒与壁面之间的能量传递和交换,建立颗粒相边界条件模型。数值模拟鼓泡流化床内气固两相流动特性,模拟结果表明鼓泡流化床内颗粒相湍流脉动具有明显的各向异性。预测颗粒速度与Muller等和Yuu等实测结果相吻合。预测颗粒脉动速度二阶矩与Muller等实验结果变化趋势相同。统计得到的固相雷诺应力型二阶矩与Muller等实测颗粒脉动速度二阶矩和Yuu等实测颗粒脉动速度相吻合。     

Numerical predictions of flow behavior and cluster size of particles in riser with particle rotation model and cluster-based approach

Flow behavior of particles in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) riser is numerically simulated using a two-fluid model incorporating with the kinetic theory for particle rotation and friction stress models. The particle rotations resulting from slightly friction particle-particle collisions was considered by introducing an effective coefficient of restitution based on the kinetic theory for granular flow derived by Jenkins and Zhang [2002. Kinetic theory for identical, frictional, nearly elastic spheres. Physics of Fluids 14, 1228-1235]. The normal friction stress model proposed by Johnson et al. [1990. Frictional-collisional equations of motion for particles flows and their application to chutes. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 210, 501-535] and a modified frictional shear viscosity model proposed by Syamlal et al. [1993. MFIX Documentation and Theory Guide, DOE/METC94/1004, NTIS/DE94000087] were used as the particle frictional stress model. The drag force between gas and particle phases was modified with cluster-based approach (CBA). The flow behavior of particles and the cluster size in a riser of Wei et al. [1998. Profiles of particle velocity and solids fraction in a high-density riser. Powder Technology 100, 183-189] and Issangya et al. [2000. Further measurements of flow dynamics in a high-density circulating fluidized bed riser. Powder Technology 111, 104-113] experiments are predicted. Effects of the rotation and friction stress models on the computed results are analyzed. It is concluded that particle rotations reduce the cluster size and alter the particle flows and distributions through more particle fluctuation energy dissipations. Effects of frictional stress on flow behavior and cluster size are not significant because the particle phase in the CFB riser is not dense enough to take into account for the particle-particle contact interactions.     

Flow of gas and particles in a bubbling fluidized bed with a filtered two-fluid model

Numerical simulations of gas-particles flow in a bubble fluidized bed with two large eddy simulations of gas and solid phases are presented. For gas phase and solid phase, the sub-grid scale model for the viscosity is based on the Smagorinsky form. The sub-grid model for the particle pressure proposed by Igci et al. (2008) is modified by replacing the minimum fluidization velocity. The collisional interaction of particles is considered by the kinetic theory of granular flow. Flow behavior of gas and particles is performed by means of these two sub-grid scale models. The subgrid closure for the particle phase viscosity and pressure led to a qualitative change in the simulation results. Predictions are compared with experimental data measured by Yuu et al. (2000) and Taghipour et al. (2005) in the bubbling fluidized beds. The distributions of concentration and velocity of particles are predicted in the bubbling fluidized bed. The predicted filtered particle phase pressure increases and the filtered particle phase viscosity decreases with the increase of particle concentration. The qualitative importance of the model constant c_s of particles is demonstrated.     

Numerical simulation of gas-particle flow with a second-order moment method in bubbling fluidized beds

Flow behavior of gas and particles is performed by means of gas-solid two-fluid model with the second-order moment model of particles in the bubbling fluidized bed. The distributions of velocity and moments of particles are predicted in the bubbling fluidized beds. Predictions are compared with experimental data measured by Jung et al. (2005) in a bubbling fluidized bed and Patil et al. (2005) experiments in a bubbling fluidized bed with a jet. The simulated second-order moment in the vertical direction is on average 1.5-2.3 times larger than that in the lateral direction in the bubbling fluidized bed (Jung et al., 2005). For a bubbling fluidized bed with a jet, the ratio of normal second-order moment in the vertical direction to in the lateral direction is in the range of 0.5-2.5 (Patil et al., 2005). The bubblelike Reynolds normal stresses per unit bulk density used by Gidaspow et al. (2002) are computed from the simulated hydrodynamic velocities. The simulated bubblelike Reynolds normal stresses in the vertical direction is on average 4.5-6.0 times larger than that in the lateral direction in the bubbling fluidized bed (Jung et al., 2005). The predictions are in agreement with experimental second-order moments measured by Jung et al. (2005) and porosity measured by Patil et al. (2005).     

Hydrodynamic simulation of fuel-reactor in chemical looping combustion process

A multiphase CFD-based model with gas-solid hydrodynamics and chemical reactions is used to model flow behavior of gas and particles in the fuel reactor of chemical looping combustion process. The granular kinetic theory model is used to model the interaction of particle collisions. The friction stress of particles is considered to account for strain rate fluctuations and slow relaxation of the assembly to the yield surface. The reaction kinetics model of the fuel reactor is presented. The instantaneous mass fractions of both reactant and products are predicted, and the time averaged distributions are calculated in the fuel reactor. Simulated fuel reactor flows reveal a high weight fraction of unburned methane fuel in the flue gas along with CO₂ and H₂O. This behavior implies high fuel loss at the exit of the reactor and indicates the necessity to increase the residence time and improve mixing in the fuel reactor using circulating fluidized bed technology.     

Hydrodynamics of gas-solid flow around immersed tubes in bubbling fluidized beds

A numerical study was conducted based on the gas-solid two-fluid model using the body-fitted coordinate system to analyze the behavior of particles and bubbles flow in bubbling fluidized beds without and with immersed tubes. The kinetic theory of granular flow was implemented in the model. The images of simulated instantaneous particle concentration and velocity gave the process of the formation, coalescence and eruption of bubbles. The effects of the tube pitch and superficial gas velocity on the fluidization in a bubbling fluidized bed were investigated. Calculated bubble frequencies without and with immersed tubes were in agreement with previous experimental and simulation findings. The wavelet multi-resolution analysis was used to analyze the simulated data of instantaneous particle concentration. From the random-like particle concentration fluctuations, the fluctuating components due to particle flow and bubble motion can be extracted based on the wavelet multi-resolution analysis over a time-frequency plane.     

Numerical simulation of bubble and particles motions in a bubbling fluidized bed using direct simulation Monte-Carlo method

Flow behavior of bubbles and particles in a bubbling fluidized bed were numerically computed using Euler-Lagrange approach. Particle collision was simulated by means of the direct simulation Monte-Carlo (DSMC) method and hard-sphere model. The computed velocities and fluctuations of particles were in agreement with experimental data of Yuu et al. [S. Yuu, H. Nishikawa, T. Umekage, Numerical simulation of air and particle motions in group-B particle turbulent fluidized bed, Powder Technol. 118 (2001) 32-44]. The distributions of velocity, concentration, granular temperature and collision frequency of particles in a bubbling fluidized bed were analyzed. The wavelet multi-resolution analysis was used to investigate flow behavior of bubbles and particles. The bubble frequency of random-like bubble fluctuation was determined from the wavelet multi-resolution analysis over a time-frequency plane.     

喷动床环隙区内颗粒流的数学模型和仿真

Solids motion in the annulus of a spouted bed can be considered as a quasi-static deforming flow similar to that in a silo. Several simplified granular-flow models by Sullivan et al. including kinematic, potential and plastic theory, are investigated in this paper. The model of solids circulation by Morgan et al is combined with the above granular models to predict solids axial velocity in annulus. The finite element method is adopted and the complicated spout-annulus shape geometry is especially considered. Simulated results are compared with experimental data from He et al. It indicates that kinematic theory agrees well with experiments. The regressed kinematic constant B for annulus flow is greatly larger than that for silo flow. Potential theory obtains similar result with kinematic theory, but is incomplete in its physical significance. Plastic theory gives unrealistically oscillatory solution because of the over simplification of stress field. Finally, the Euler equations coupling the momentum transfer of solids with the frictional stress field are proposed for future study.