Tortuosity model for fixed beds randomly packed with identical particles

A theoretical model for the tortuosity of a fixed bed randomly packed with identical particles has been developed. The tortuosity is found to be proportional to a packing structure factor  ((1−ε)4/3/εφ2)((1−ε)4/3/εφ2) which is explicitly given in terms of bed voidage and particles shape factor (sphericity). The tortuosity equation is then scaled via a simple model closure without introduction of any empirical constants. The model exhibits encouraging qualitative as well as quantitative results when compared to available fixed bed tortuosity data.