A porous media model for CFD simulations of gas-liquid two-phase flow in rotating packed beds

Lu, Xuesong; Xie, Peng; Ingham, D.B.; Ma, Lin; Pourkashanian, Mohamed

doi:10.1016/j.ces.2018.04.074

Cited by 66 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…However, due to the multiscale issues that have plagued the modelling of the RPB, the multiscale modelling strategy has to be taken into account and the mesoscale 3D modelling of the flow over the packing structure/pores is the most important aspect of the analysis. At present, simulating the pressure drop (Llerena-Chavez and Larachi, 2009;Lu et al, 2018;Wu et al, 2018;Yang et al, 2015b) and liquid holdup (Lu et al, 2018) in the RPB by using a porous media model can be considered as the macroscale CFD modelling. This method does not resolve the geometrical structure of the packing in the RPB, and therefore it can be used to simulate large-scale RPBs without using too much computing resources.…”

Section: Cfd Modelling Of the Rpbmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…has been used to predict the in the experiments of Burns et al (2000) and Yang et al (2015a). The experimental data of and the predicted by Lu model (Lu et al, 2018) and the new proposed correlation (Eq. (15)) are plotted in Fig.…”

Section: Effect Of the Contact Anglementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Comparison of the between the new correlations, experimental data and existing model(Lu et al, 2018): (a) Burns case ( =1.75*10 -5 m 3 /s)(Burns et al, 2000) and (b) Yang case ( =2.29*10 -5 m 3 /s)(Yang et al, 2015a).…”

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confidence: 99%

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A mesoscale 3D CFD analysis of the liquid flow in a rotating packed bed

Xie

Ding

et al. 2019

Chemical Engineering Science

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Rotating packed beds (RPBs), as a type of process intensification technology, are promising to be employed as high-efficiency CO 2 absorbers. However, the detailed understanding of the liquid flow in the RPB is still very limited. The complex and dense packing of the bed and the multiscale of the RPB make it very difficult to perform numerical simulations in detail, in particular for full 3D simulations. In this paper, a mesoscale 3D CFD modelling approach is proposed which can be used to investigate the liquid flow in both laboratory-and large-scale RPBs in detail and accuracy. A 3D representative elementary unit of the RPB has been built and validated with experimental observations, and then it is employed to investigate the gas-liquid flows at different locations, across a typical RPB, so that the overall characteristics of the liquid flow in the RPB can be assembled. The proposed approach enables the detailed prediction of the liquid holdup, droplets formation, effective interfacial area, wetted packing area and specific surface area of the liquid within real 3D packing structures throughout the bed. New correlations to predict the liquid holdup, effective interfacial area, and specific surface area of the liquid are proposed, and the sensitivities of these quantities to the rotational speed, liquid flow rate, viscosity and contact angle have been investigated. The results have been compared with experimental data, previous correlations and theoretical values and it shows that the new correlations have a good accuracy in predicting these critical quantities. Further, recommendations for scale-up and operation of an RPB for CO 2 capture are provided. This proposed model leads to a much better understanding of the liquid flow behaviours and can assist in the RPB optimisation design and scaling up.

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Section: Cfd Modelling Of the Rpbmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Effect Of the Contact Anglementioning

confidence: 99%

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A mesoscale 3D CFD analysis of the liquid flow in a rotating packed bed

Xie

Ding

et al. 2019

Chemical Engineering Science

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“…In recent years, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has become a powerful method for investigating fluid behaviors inside TBRs and has attracted a lot of attention [5,[9][10][11]. To simulate multiphase flow inside TBRs with CFD, many multiphase models have been employed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Computational Investigation of Liquid Holdup and Wetting Efficiency Inside Trickle Bed Reactors with Different Catalyst Particle Shapes

et al. 2020

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Liquid holdup and wetting efficiency are essential parameters for design of trickle bed reactors. Both parameters play an important role in reactor performance including pressure drop, conversion, and heat transfer. Empirical formulas are usually employed to calculate liquid holdup and wetting efficiency. However, factors such as particle shape and the wetting ability of liquid on the particle surface are not described clearly in traditional formulas. In this paper, actual random packing was built by DEM and CFD simulations were performed to investigate the factors affecting liquid holdup and wetting efficiency in trickle bed reactors, including particle shape, surface tension, contact angle, liquid viscosity, liquid density, liquid, and gas superficial velocity. Detailed fluid flow and liquid-solid interaction were described by VOF model. Four different particle shapes were investigated. It showed the particle shape has great effect and the 4-hole cylinder packing gained both highest liquid holdup and wetting efficiency. The overall simulations gave a detailed description of phase interactions and fluid flow in the voids between catalyst particles and these results could give further guidance for the design and operation of trickle bed reactors.

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“…26,40 Based on the advantages of CFD and the barriers to RPBs, until now many researchers have developed various CFD models to carry out fundamental research and industrial application in RPBs. 26,27,[41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53] In this work, a review related to the development of RPB and CFD technique is presented, including the simplification of packing geometry of RPB, models with aspect to turbulence, multiphase and rotation. Besides, numerical results of flow simulation, mass transfer between phases and mixing process, design and optimization of reactors using CFD technique are discussed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review on computational fluid dynamic simulation for rotating packed beds

Yang

Ouyang

Zhang

et al. 2018

J of Chemical Tech & Biotech

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A rotating packed bed (RPB) is one of the cutting‐edge process intensification technologies due to its high mass transfer and mixing efficiency. Nevertheless, owing to the complex structure and hydrodynamic characteristics of RPBs, valuable data inside the reactor is hard to obtain by conventional experimental methods. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) owing to its unique advantages of low cost, completeness of data and ability to simulate real and ideal conditions, has been adopted by many researchers to carry out fundamental research and practical application of RPBs in recent years. This paper therefore elaborates on the research progress on CFD simulation of RPBs. The building of a physical model of these reactors as well as selection of mathematical models are described, then applicability and accuracy of these models are compared and discussed. Simulation results for gas and multiphase flow in reactors are also presented. Additionally, the application of CFD to mixing and mass transfer between phases and processes in rotating packed beds is introduced. Optimum designs of reactors by the CFD method are also described. Finally, problems remaining with CFD simulation of rotating packed beds and future development directions are discussed. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry

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A porous media model for CFD simulations of gas-liquid two-phase flow in rotating packed beds

Cited by 66 publications

References 56 publications

A mesoscale 3D CFD analysis of the liquid flow in a rotating packed bed

A mesoscale 3D CFD analysis of the liquid flow in a rotating packed bed

Computational Investigation of Liquid Holdup and Wetting Efficiency Inside Trickle Bed Reactors with Different Catalyst Particle Shapes

A review on computational fluid dynamic simulation for rotating packed beds

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