Numerical studies of the effects of fines on fluidization

Euler‐Lagrange simulations of fluidized beds of Geldart Group A particles containing different levels of fines are performed in periodic domains with various domain‐averaged solid volume fractions. Bubble‐like voids readily form when no fines are added. Introducing fines does not reduce bubble sizes if van der Waals force between particles is not accounted for. In contrast, the addition of van der Waals force produces significant changes. With no fines, bubbles are found to be suppressed at sufficiently high solid volume fractions, corresponding to the expanded bed regime for Group A particles. With the addition of fines, bubbles can be suppressed at lower solid volume fractions. With more fines added, bubbles can be suppressed at even lower solid volume fractions. When bubbles are suppressed, the system is found to be in a stable solid‐like regime. In this regime, forces on each particle are balanced, and the particle velocity fluctuations are dampened. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 2271–2281, 2016