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CFD of multiphase flow in packed‐bed reactors: II. Results and applications
Author(s) -
Jiang Y.,
Khadilkar M. R.,
AlDahhan M. H.,
Dudukovic M. P.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.690480407
Subject(s) - computational fluid dynamics , mechanics , porosity , packed bed , fluid dynamics , multiphase flow , flow (mathematics) , materials science , thermodynamics , chemistry , physics , chromatography , composite material
Numerical simulations of multiphase flow using the k‐fluid CFD model described in Part I of this issue are presented for packed beds at various operating conditions. Both steady‐state and unsteady‐state (e.g., periodic operation) feed conditions were studied numerically. Predictions of the k‐fluid CFD model are comparable with the experimental data in the literature for liquid upflow in a cylindrical packed bed. In addition to the mean porosity and the longitudinally averaged radial porosity profile, the variance of the porosity distribution is needed for predicting the probability density function of the sectional flow velocity. In the trickling flow regime, the k‐fluid CFD model provides reasonable predictions of the global liquid saturation and the pressure gradient. Relevant applications of the k‐fluid CFD model are identified in quantifying the relationship between bed structure and flow distribution in various‐scale packed beds. The combined flow‐reaction modeling scheme is proposed through the “mixing‐cell” network concept, in which the k‐fluid CFD simulation can provide the information on sectional flow distribution.