Fluidization characteristics of wet particles in a spouted bed using computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method

Abstract

This study numerically investigated the effects of water content and contact angle on the fluidization characteristics of wet particles in a spouted bed via the combination of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the discrete element method (DEM). As the water content increased from 0.01 to 1.00%, particle agglomeration occurred. Moreover, as the water content increased and the contact angle decreased, the particle velocity initially increased before decreasing. The results showed that when the contact angle was 30°, the particle flow improved. Furthermore, the larger the contact angle (within 15–60°), the closer the central temperature region was to the outlet of the spout region, and the greater the particle velocity fluctuation. Particle agglomeration occurred at the outlet of the spouted region, resulting in the particles in the spouted channel not being completely fluidized, hence reducing the granulation efficiency. The simulation results provide theoretical guidance for future reactor design.