CFD simulation and experimental validation of nanoparticles fluidization in a conical spouted bed

Abstract

In the present study, hydrodynamic parameters of micro/nanoparticles in a conical spouted bed were investigated using experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. The Eulerian–Eulerian approach, in conjunction with the kinetic theory of granular flow (KTGF) has been used, and the effects of solid wall boundary condition parameters such specularity coefficient (φ), and particle-wall restitution coefficient (ew), on the hydrodynamics of the bed were studied. The effect of drag force on the fluidization behavior of nanoparticles was investigated using Gidaspow and RUC drag models, and the results showed the superiority of the RUC model. Experiments were carried out for measuring the pressure drop in a lab-scale conical spouted bed. The CFD predictions were in good agreement with the experimental data in terms of pressure drop and particle distribution.