Dynamic energy-minimization multi-scale heterogeneous continuum evolution model for gas-solid fluidization

Abstract

Traditional gas–solid continuum model is still computationally inaccurate and physically unreasonable, due to a homogeneous assumption that particles are uniformly dispersed in a computational grid. Therefore, its application to simulate industrial gas–solid fluidization needs further improvement. Here, a novel heterogeneous continuum model, named dynamic energy-minimization multi-scale (EMMS) evolution model, was developed for accurate and fast simulations of gas–solid fluidization systems. In this model, the evolution of gas–solid heterogeneous multiscale structure in each computational grid was directly resolved by EMMS model, which was then coupled with multiphase mixture model to dynamically calculate phase holdup and flow field. Both S-shaped axial voidage profiles and spatial distribution of solid phase with the presence of a core-annulus structure were successfully captured. Compared with two-fluid model, dynamic EMMS evolution model showed great advantages in various aspects, including (a) model accuracy: predicted “S” type distribution of bed voidage was closer to experimental data; (b) stability: a rather larger time step of 0.1 s could be used; and (c) computational cost: dynamic EMMS evolution model was 245 times faster than two-fluid model. Based on dynamic EMMS evolution model, the complex multiscale hydrodynamics can be well simulated and understood, and will help the design and scale-up of large-scale gas–solid fluidized bed reactors.