Fluid Dynamic Analysis of a Modified Mechanical Stirring Spouted Bed: Effect of Particle Properties and Stirring Rotation

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to perform the fluid dynamic analysis of a modified mechanical stirring spouted bed, which has been proposed as a promising alternative to the conventional spouted bed. Thus, a comparison is also performed between the dynamic behaviors of such equipment. The addition of the stirrer to the spouted bed enhanced the movement of particles in the bed. The mechanical stirring spouted bed presented better performance than the conventional configuration at stirrer rotations above 90 rpm. Small particles were less susceptible to the effect of stirrer rotation than large particles, demanding a higher rotation to provide a lower minimum air flow rate. The proposed model provided good predictions in terms of maximum pressure drop and minimum air velocity in the modified mechanical stirring spouted bed. The findings of this study contribute to the development of versatile and promising equipment for different processes and operations, providing the key parameters for an appropriate design.

Effect of operating conditions on the hydrodynamics in fountain confined conical spouted beds

“…In order to address this issue, different spouted bed variants have been proposed in the literature, as are conical [3], cylindrical [4], mechanical [5], two-dimensional [6] and rectangular [7] spouted beds. Despite the great variety of geometries, none of them have entirely solved the problem of scaling up.…”

Particle Adhesion Effects on Particle Size Distribution of Titania Nanoparticle Agglomerates in a Conical Fluidized Bed: A Computational Fluid Dynamics and Discrete Element Method Adhesive Approach

“…The simple-and complex-agglomerates formed in the actual condition are named "NP agglomerates", and IPFs occur between NP agglomerates and not inside them. 6 The collisions between NP agglomerates and the wall are negligible. 42 7 A first-order-integration strategy with implicit formulation was applied in the simulations to achieve maximum computational efficiency.…”

“…Conical fluidized beds designed with a lower conical part and an upper cylindrical part have suitable fluidization characteristics of fluidized and spouted beds. − The conical fluidized beds can provide a suitable mixing of powders, creating homogeneity in heat and mass transfer in both chemical and physical techniques. − In addition, conical fluidized beds have been extensively employed in drying and mixing processes of fine, sticky, high-density and coarse particles in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries. , The fluidization behavior of fine particles in conical fluidized beds is similar to that seen in the spouted beds, where particles move upward in the spout zone located around the axis of the bed, then reach the top of the bed material known as the fountain zone, and finally move downward in the region between the spout zone and wall, the so-called annular zone. − Based on the potential industrial applications, the conical fluidized beds facilitate the fluidization of bed materials containing a broad particle size distribution (PSD). ,,− …”