Modeling heterogeneous downward dense gas‐particle flows

A novel approach is proposed to model heterogeneous downward dense gas‐particle flows. The homogeneous behavior of the flow is described by the mass and momentum transport equations of the gas and particulate phases solved using a mono‐dimension finite volume method on staggered grids. The heterogeneous features of the flow are predicted simultaneously using the bubble‐emulsion formalism. The gas compressibility is taken into consideration. The model is supplemented with a new correlation to account for the wall‐particle frictional effects. The predictions are compared with the vertical profiles of pressure and the amount of gas that flows up and down two standpipes and a cyclone dipleg of an industrial fluid catalytic cracking unit and of a cold small‐scale circulating fluidized bed. The trends are well predicted. The model gives further information and is thus an innovative starting point for downward dense gas‐particle flow hydrodynamics investigation. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010