A Generalized approach to the fluid Dynamics of particulate systems part III: General correlation for the pressure drop through fixed beds of spherical particles

Abstract

A general correlation for pressure drop through fixed beds of spherical particles, based upon a discrete particle model corrected for particle interaction, is presented in this paper. The standard C D versus Re curve for single spheres is extended to multiparticle systems by incorporating proper functions of the volumetric particle concentration. The resulting correlation is compared with others and with data from eleven independent sources. A good fit is obtained in the creeping flow and intermediate regions as well as for distended bed data in the highly turbulent range. However, a certain deviation is noticed in the turbulent range with normal packed bed data. This paper, together with the others in this series, allows the prediction of pressure drop or drag in single particle and multiparticle systems by a single curve. Systems correlated with this curve include fluidization and sedimentation with either solid or fluid particles, minimum fluidization and, now, fixed beds.