CFD‐DEM simulation of the spout–annulus interaction in a 3D spouted bed with a conical base

Abstract

AbstractNumerical simulation of the gas–solid flow in a three‐dimensionally spouted bed with a conical base is conducted on the base of the CFD–DEM coupling approach. The gas phase is tracked at the computational grid level, while the solid motion is resolved at the particle scale level. The comparison is taken between the calculated results and the experimental data in literature. Hydrodynamics and spout–annulus interaction in the bed are investigated. The results demonstrate that the gas flow in the cylindrical region of the bed shows self‐similarity property. Solid vertical velocity in the central region increases initially and then decreases with bed elevation. The vertical solid transporting intensity is dramatically larger than the lateral one. Furthermore, the spout diameter exhibits a diverging tendency along the axial direction. Spout–annulus interaction intensity can be quantitatively described with solid flux exchanging from the spout boundary. Moreover, the interaction intensity through the spout–annulus interface increases initially, and then diminishes along the axial direction. Besides, the spout diameter and the spout–annulus interaction intensity are enlarged by increasing the spouting velocity.