CFD modelling of a liquid–solid fluidized bed

A multifluid Eulerian computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model with granular flow extension is used to simulate a liquid–solid fluidized bed. The numerical simulations are evaluated qualitatively by experimental data from the literature and quantitatively by comparison with new experimental data. The effects of mesh size, time step and convergence criteria are investigated. Varying the coefficient of restitution did not alter the results significantly. The Gidaspow drag relationship predicted a higher voidage than the Wen and Yu drag law. Two different liquid distributors (uniform and non-uniform) were simulated and compared, but a better representation of the geometry of the distributor plate did not greatly influence the results. Qualitatively, the simulations show trends similar to experimental trends reported by various authors. The predictions are also compared with new experimental results for 1.13 mm glass spheres at a wide variety of superficial liquid velocities (0.0085–0.110 m/s) and two different temperatures (12 and 33∘C) significantly affecting the liquid viscosity. The CFD model predictions are within 5% of the steady-state experimental data and show the correct trend with variation in viscosity.