基于分离效率的卧螺离心机CFD分析

从分离效率的角度对卧式螺旋卸料离心机转鼓内的流场进行数值分析.通过剖析推料螺旋与转鼓溢流堰的结构特点可知,转鼓内流体在轴向为薄层流动,在径向由于涡流产生向内流动导致颗粒上浮,这两者对离心机分离效率有决定性的影响.结合CFD数值分析和颗粒的Stokes沉降运动关系,提出将薄层流动与上浮临界粒度应用于离心机分离能力计算的理论和方法.文章通过定义沉降粒度和上浮临界粒度,进一步把分离能力计算与分离效率相关联,使该方法更接近离心机分离工艺的实际情况.通过对工业中典型离心机进行实例计算,证明了该方法的可行性和准确性.     

Investigation on Flow Distribution in an External Manifold SOFC Stack by Computational Fluid Dynamics Technique

In this study, the flow distribution in a planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack with external manifolds is investigated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique. Three dimensional external manifold models are constructed for a SOFC stack composed of 24 cells. CFD simulations with air as operating gas are implemented for two types of stacks with different inlet manifolds, including the manifold with three tube inlets (T‐manifold) and the manifold with a gas chamber on top (C‐manifold). The influences of different parameters such as channel resistance and gas feeding rate on flow distribution are studied. Modeling results indicate that the increase of channel resistance and a lower gas feeding rate can respectively improve the uniformity factor of T‐manifold and C‐manifold from 0.963 to 0.995 and 0.989 to 0.998. For a given channel resistance, the pressure distribution in the inlet manifold plays a dominant role in the flow distribution. In addition, flow distribution in the stack with C‐manifold is generally more uniform than the stack with T‐manifold. Furthermore, flow characteristics of the two type inlet manifolds are investigated by measuring velocity distribution of the gas at manifold outlets using a hot‐wire anemometer.     

A Non‐Invasive Hydrodynamic Study of Gas‐Solid Fluidised Bed of Linear Low Density Polyethylene

There are several non‐invasive techniques used to study the hydrodynamic characteristics of gas‐solid fluidised bed reactors. In this study a two phase, gas‐solid fluidised bed consisting of air and a linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) resin was examined. The polyethylene sample was composed of irregular, non‐monosized particles ranging in size from 165 to 1500 µm. The experimental techniques used were digital fluoroscopy and pressure fluctuations. This study presents a comparison of the two‐phase system experimental results and two‐dimensional CFD simulation results. CFD packages FLUENT and MFIX were used.     

A CFD‐PBM‐PMLM integrated model for the gas–solid flow fields in fluidized bed polymerization reactors

Although the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model coupled with population balance (CFD‐PBM) is becoming a common approach for simulating gas–solid flows in polydisperse fluidized bed polymerization reactors, a number of issues still remain. One major issue is the absence of modeling the growth of a single polymeric particle. In this work a polymeric multilayer model (PMLM) was applied to describe the growth of a single particle under the intraparticle transfer limitations. The PMLM was solved together with a PBM (i.e. PBM‐PMLM) to predict the dynamic evolution of particle size distribution (PSD). In addition, a CFD model based on the Eulerian‐Eulerian two‐fluid model, coupled with PBM‐PMLM (CFD‐PBM‐PMLM), has been implemented to describe the gas–solid flow field in fluidized bed polymerization reactors. The CFD‐PBM‐PMLM model has been validated by comparing simulation results with some classical experimental data. Five cases including fluid dynamics coupled purely continuous PSD, pure particle growth, pure particle aggregation, pure particle breakage, and flow dynamics coupled with all the above factors were carried out to examine the model. The results showed that the CFD‐PBM‐PMLM model describes well the behavior of the gas–solid flow fields in polydisperse fluidized bed polymerization reactors. The results also showed that the intraparticle mass transfer limitation is an important factor in affecting the reactor flow fields. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 1717–1732, 2012     

Experimental and CFD Simulation Study for the Wetting of a Structured Packing Element with Liquids

The hydrodynamics of liquid flow in packed columns affects the column performance from the point of view of heat and mass transfer. The interfacial and the specific wetted areas are decisive in this case. The complex three‐dimensional liquid flow on a single structured and flat packing element of Rombopak 4M was investigated. It consists of four connected wavy inclined plates in an X‐shape configuration. The geometric characteristics of the packing were related to the fluid mechanics of the liquid distribution. CFD simulation results for different cell sizes and flow rates, obtained using the VOF (volume of fluid) model, are presented as being capable of describing this complex geometry. With the help of the CFD simulation and the experimental results from Rombopak 4M, correlations from the literature describing the interfacial and wetted area and liquid holdup in packed columns were adjusted to describe the hydrodynamic performance of Rombopak 4M.     

Numerical modeling of multilayer film coextrusion with experimental validation

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using a finite volume technique and the volume of fluid method of interface tracking is used to model the production of polyester‐based multilayered films via coextrusion. Experimental methods encompass both overall flow validation and secondary layer thickness validation. The interpretation of frozen die plugs and layer thickness measurements of unstretched cast films using chloroform washing are used for overall flow validation. For secondary layer thickness validation, layer thickness measurements via both white light interferometry and chloroform washing of stretched final film samples are presented. Good agreement between CFD results and both die plug structures and layer thicknesses from chloroform washing of cast film is observed. When investigating final film samples, there is a good agreement between CFD and white light interferometry, based on individual layer thickness calculations. However, the layer thicknesses from chloroform washing of final films are lower than those obtained from both CFD and white light interferometry. This is attributed to partial crystallization of the thinner polymer at the interface after stretching and heating the film. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1829–1842, 2015. © 2014 The Authors. Polymer Engineering & Science published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Plastics Engineers     

Three‐dimensional CFD‐PBM coupled model of the temperature fields in fluidized‐bed polymerization reactors

A three‐dimensional (3‐D) computational fluid dynamics model, coupled with population balance (CFD‐PBM), was developed to describe the gas–solid two‐phase flow in fluidized‐bed polymerization reactors. The model considered the Eulerian–Eulerian two‐fluid model, the kinetic theory of granular flow, the population balance, and heat exchange equations. First, the model was validated by comparing simulation results with the classical calculated data. The entire temperature fields in the reactor were also obtained numerically. Furthermore, two case studies, involving constant solid particle size and constant polymerization heat or evolving particle‐size distribution, polymerization kinetics, and polymerization heat, were designed to identify the model. The results showed that the calculated results in the second case were in good agreement with the reality. Finally, the model of the second case was used to investigate the influences of operational conditions on the temperature field. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011     

Model for Predicting Solids Velocity Fluctuations in Sedimenting Suspensions

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of sedimenting suspensions in two‐dimensional periodic domains using a Eulerian two‐fluid model were performed with the commercial software ANSYS Fluent®. Three particle systems belonging to Geldart groups A and B were selected to gather data on the solids velocity fluctuations. It is proposed that solids velocity fluctuations are composed of local and global parts. Therefore, the solids velocity signal was segregated into low‐frequency and high‐frequency fluctuations using the FFT solver in MATLAB®. A model is proposed to predict the velocity fluctuations of a solid phase at low volume fractions and the model results are compared with the CFD results. The model is capable of capturing the solid particles fluctuation in the dilute limit.     

Analysis of Optimal Heat Transfer in a PEM Fuel Cell Cooling Plate

An analysis of three‐dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is conducted to investigate the coupled cooling process involved in fluid flow and heat transfer between the solid plate and the coolant flow for optimization of the cooling design of a fuel cell stack. A conception of IUT (Index of Uniform Temperature) across the entire area is presented to evaluate the degree of uniform temperature profile across the cooling plates. Six cooling modes, including three serpentine‐type modes and another three parallel‐type modes, are presented and analyzed for optimization of the cooling mode of fuel cells. The prediction finds that the cooling effect of serpentine‐type cooling modes could be better than that of parallel‐type cooling modes.     

Improving the operational stability of the multi‐chamber spout‐fluid bed via the insertion of a submerged partition plate

The effect of a submerged partition plate on improving the gas–solid flow robustness and stability in a three‐dimensional spout‐fluid bed with multiple inter‐connected chambers is numerically investigated by means of computational fluid dynamics coupled with discrete element method (CFD‐DEM). Notably, multiple‐chamber beds are necessary in scaling up the spout‐fluid bed. The influence of plate height on gas–solid distribution, spout‐annulus interaction and chamber interaction are also studied to optimize the design. The results demonstrate that inserting a partition plate with height above a certain threshold can effectively improve the stability of spouting and uniformly re‐distribute the flux load in each chamber, giving rise to parallel fountains and lower circulation flux of the solid phase. Results indicate that the plate height should be at least 80% of the packed bed height investigated, with the most optimal being about 92% based on steady spouting, and the maximum solid and gas exchanging fluxes between the chambers. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 485–500, 2017     

Studies of gas–liquid flow through reactors internals using VOF simulations

Two-phase flow through reactor internals have been experimentally and numerically studied. Experiments have been carried out with a setup running under ambient pressure for two configurations. The first configuration consists of a mixing box orifice inlet through which liquid flows as a film sheared by a gas flow. The liquid height at orifice inlet is documented over a wide range of liquid and gas flowrates. The second configuration consists of the two-phase flow through a downcomer of a distributing tray. Two and three dimensional computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations using the volume of fluid approach have been used to compute both flows for similar flow conditions as used in the experiments. It is shown that the agreement between experiments and calculations is very good. Based on this good agreement, it is finally discussed how CFD can be used to achieve better design rules for gas liquid reactor internals via simulations carried out for industrial process conditions.     

Modeling of three‐dimensional flow and heat transfer in polystyrene foam extrusion dies

A three‐dimensional mathematical model was developed to investigate the nonisothermal, non‐Newtonian polymer flow through the dies used in the polystyrene foam extrusion process. The model, based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, Polyflow, allowed for the shear rate and temperature dependence of the shear viscosity of the blowing agent laden polystyrene melt. The model also accounted for viscous heating. The shear viscosity of the polystyrene‐blowing agent mixture was measured experimentally at several temperatures. The model was used to calculate pressure, flow, and temperature distributions in two different dies used for industrial‐scale extrusion of polystyrene foams. The article presents a selection of computed results to illustrate the effect of die design on uniformity of flow at the die exit, the overall pressure drop in the die, relative magnitudes of pressure drop in the land section versus the rest of the die, and temperature distribution in the die. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Design of an Intermediate Fluid Vaporizer for Liquefied Natural Gas

The intermediate fluid vaporizer (IFV) owns various advantages over other types of liquefied natural gas (LNG) vaporizers. Research findings related to the design of an IFV, including configurational variations, selection of candidate working fluids, one‐dimensional steady‐state thermal model, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for thermal dynamic analysis, and cold energy recovery have been reviewed. Further updates to the current one‐dimensional thermal model are needed. A three‐dimensional unsteady CFD model should be established for the instantaneous flow and heat transfer analysis. Integrating the LNG regasification and cold energy recovery will bring more complexity in process design, optimization, and operation.     

Efficiencies of Sieve Tray Distillation Columns by CFD Simulation

A 3‐D two‐fluid CFD model in the Eulerian‐Eulerian framework was developed to predict the hydrodynamics and heat and mass transfer of sieve trays. Interaction between the two phases occurs via interphase momentum and heat and mass transfer. The tray geometries are based on the large rectangular tray of Dribika and Biddulph and FRI commercial‐scale sieve tray of Yanagi and Sakata. In this work a CFD simulation is developed to give predictions of the fluid flow patterns, hydraulics, and mass transfer efficiency of distillation sieve trays including a downcomer. The main objective has been to find the extent to which CFD can be used as a design and prediction tool for real behavior, concentration and temperature distributions, and efficiencies of industrial trays. Despite the use of simple correlations for closure models, the efficiencies obtained are very close to experimental data. The results show that values of point efficiency vary with position on the tray because of variation of affecting parameters, such as velocities, temperature and concentration gradients, and interfacial area. The simulation results show that CFD can be used as a powerful tool in tray design and analysis, and can be considered as a new approach for efficiency calculations and as a new tool for testing mixing models in both phases. CFD can be used as a “virtual experiment” to simulate tray behavior under operating conditions.     

Hydrodynamics of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors

The hydrodynamic characteristics of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors were investigated in this study. A UASB reactor was visualized as being set‐up of a number of continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) in series. An increasing‐sized CSTRs (ISC) model was developed to describe the hydrodynamics of such a bioreactor. The gradually increasing tank size in the ISC model implies that the dispersion coefficient decreased along the axial of the UASB reactor and that its hydrodynamic behavior was basically dispersion‐controlled. Experimental results from both laboratory‐scale H₂‐producing and full‐scale CH₄‐producing UASB reactors were used to validate this model. Simulation results demonstrate that the ISC model was better than the other models in describing the hydrodynamics of the UASB reactors. Moreover, a three‐dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was performed with an Eulerian‐Eulerian three‐phase‐fluid approach to visualize the phase holdup and to explore the flow patterns in UASB reactors. The results from the CFD simulation were comparable with those of the ISC model predictions in terms of the flow patterns and dead zone fractions. The simulation results about the flow field further confirm the discontinuity in the mixing behaviors throughout a UASB reactor. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009     

三相卧螺离心机设计分析及结构参数对分离效果的影响

首先提出了用于油水砂分离的三相螺旋沉降式离心机两种结构模型。通过CFD数值计算发现,带有轴向管法兰的三相卧螺离心机结构模型存在一定的缺陷,即管法兰上有堵砂的情况出现且分离效率较低。通过改进设计,可调溢流挡板的三相卧螺离心机结构模型是可取的。该模型有较高的油相回收率,且固相也相对较干燥,适用于油水固三相分离。该模型还具有水与油砂分离、油水与砂分离或油与水砂分离等几种不同的排液方式。对此三相卧螺离心机加工制造,搭建实验平台,通过实验研究发现,此种结构的三相卧螺离心机对油相的分离效率较高,挡板圆弧中心到转鼓中心轴的距离对分离效率有着不同的影响。     

Experimental and computational study of the bed dynamics of semi‐cylindrical gas–solid fluidized bed

With computational fluid dynamics (CFD) it is possible to get a detailed view of the flow behaviour of the fluidized beds. A profound and fundamental understanding of bed dynamics such as bed pressure drop, bed expansion ratio, bed fluctuation ratio, and minimum fluidization velocity of homogeneous binary mixtures has been made in a semi‐cylindrical fluidized column for gas–solid systems, resulting in a predictive model for fluidized beds. In the present work attempt has been made to study the effect of different system parameters (viz., size and density of the bed materials and initial static bed height) on the bed dynamics. The correlations for the bed expansion and bed fluctuations have been developed on the basis of dimensional analysis using these system parameters. Computational study has also been carried out using a commercial CFD package Fluent (Fluent, Inc.). A multifluid Eulerian model incorporating the kinetic theory for solid particles was applied in order to simulate the gas–solid flow. CFD simulated bed pressure drop has been compared with the experimental bed pressure drops under different conditions for which the results show good agreements.     

CFD simulation of fluidized bed reactors for polyolefin production – A review

This literature survey focuses on the application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in various aspects of the fluidized bed reactor. Although fluidized bed reactors are used in various industrial applications, this first-of-its-kind review highlights the use of CFD on polyolefin production. It is shown that CFD has been utilized for the following mechanisms of polymerization: governing of bubble formation, electrostatic charge effect, gas–solid flow behavior, particle distribution, solid–gas circulation pattern, bed expansion consequence, mixing and segregation, agglomeration and shear forces. Heat and mass transfer in the reactor modeling using CFD principles has also been taken under consideration. A number of softwares are available to interpret the data of the CFD simulation but only few softwares possess the analytical capability to interpret the complex flow behavior of fluidization. In this review, the popular softwares with their framework and application have been discussed. The advantages and feasibility of applying CFD to olefin polymerization in fluidized beds were deliberated and the prospect of future CFD applications was also discussed.     

Computational fluid dynamic simulation of ethylene hydrogenation in a fluidised bed of porous catalyst particles

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used to study the flow behaviour and conversion in a freely bubbling bed of porous cracking catalyst particles fluidised by a mixture of ethylene and hydrogen on the in‐house code FLOTRACS‐MP‐3D. The solid phase viscosity and pressure are modelled on the basis of kinetic theory of granular flows (KTGF). An effective solid density is calculated to account for the inherent porosity of particles. The cohesive inter‐particle forces are incorporated into the CFD model by using an empirical approach proposed in literature. Qualitatively, the CFD model captures the flow behaviour and heat transfer in the bed quite well. On the quantitative front, the variation of conversion with gas velocity is predicted fairly well with the deviation between the predicted and measured conversion remaining within 20%. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering     

Simulating multiphase flow in a two-stage pusher centrifuge using computational fluid dynamics

The design of two-stage pusher centrifuges have developed rapidly, but a good understanding of the theory behind their practice is a long-standing problem. To better understand centrifugal filter processes, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software program FLUENT has been used to model the three-dimensional geometry and to simulate multiphase flows based on Euler-Euler, moving mesh, dynamic mesh and porous media models. The simulation tangential velocities were a little smaller than those for rigid-body motion. In the stable flow region, the radial velocities were in good agreement with the theoretical data. Additionally, solid concentration distribution were obtained and also showed good agreement with the experimental data. These results show that this simulation method could be an effective tool to optimize the design of the two-stage pusher centrifuge.