Jet dispersion and deposition of charged particles in confined chambers

Abstract

Dispersion and surface deposition of charged particles by gas–solids jets in confined chambers are constantly encountered in many industrial applications such as in electrostatic precipitation and dry powder coating processes. Understanding and control of flow patterns and trajectories of charged particles are important to the optimal design and operation of such devices. In this study, modeling of flow fields and particle trajectories of dilute gas–solid two-phase flows with charged particles in confined chambers is performed. The dilute gas–solid two-phase flows are simulated by use of a hybrid Eulerian–Lagrangian approach with the one-way coupling between the gaseous phase and particle phase. The space charge distribution is included as a source term in equations of motion or Lagrangian equation of charged particles, which in turn depends on the particle trajectories that determine the space charge distribution. Our modeling predictions suggested that the electrostatic charge plays a significant role in particle radial dispersion. Effect of voltage has limited influence on particle trajectories however it can have a big impact on the residence time. Cone angle has a significant effect on the structure of flow field. For cone with a larger cone angle (typically over 15°), there will be a flow separation along the side wall near the flow entrance region. By comparing with the conical chamber, the cylindrical chamber has a big vortex and three smaller vortexes in the lower part of the chamber, which would complicate the particle dispersion with or without the coupling of charging.