CFD simulation of fluidization quality in the three-dimensional fluidized bed

Multiphase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has become an alternative method to experimental investigation for predicting the fluid dynamics in gas–solid fluidized beds. The model of Brandani and Zhang, which contains additional terms in both the gas- and solid-phase momentum equations, is employed to explore homogeneous fluidization of Geldart type A particles and bubbling fluidization of Geldart type B particles in three-dimensional gas-fluidized beds. In this model, only a correlation for drag force is necessary to close the governing equations. Two kinds of solids, i.e., fine alumina powder (dp = 60 μm and ρp = 1500 kg/m3) and sand (dp = 610 μm and ρp = 2500 kg/m3), are numerically simulated in a rectangular duct of 0.2 m (long) × 0.2 m (wide) × 0.5 m (high) size. The results show good agreement with the classic theory of Geldart.