Numerical studies of gas-solid flow behaviors and wall wear in a swirling fluidized bed

Abstract

A swirling gas-solid fluidized bed can effectively improve the fluidization quality and interphase heat transfer via the introduction of tangential gas flow. The Dense Discrete Phase Model (DDPM) is employed to investigate the gas-solid flow behaviors in a swirling gas-solid fluidized bed with the air plenum. In addition, the wall wear and particle mixing behaviors are also examined. The results demonstrate that various operation regimes appear with the increasing superficial velocity. The particles are prone to be centrifugally attached to the wall in the stable swirling regime and accompanied by strong elutriation. The decrease of central body height will reduce the bed pressure drop and swirling velocity. The increase of operation velocity is beneficial to particle mixing behaviors in a swirling bed with a lower central body.