Computational fluid dynamics of a circulating fluidized bed under various fluidization conditions

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to simulate the hydrodynamics of gas–solid flow in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) riser at various fluidization conditions using the Eulerian–Granular multiphase model. The model was evaluated comprehensively by comparing its predictions with experimental results reported for a CFB riser operating at various solid mass fluxes and superficial gas velocities. The model was capable of predicting the main features of the complex gas–solids flow, including the cluster formation of the solid phase along the walls, for different operating conditions. The model also predicted the coexistence of up-flow in the lower regions and downward flow in the upper regions at the wall of the riser for high gas velocity and solid mass flux, as reported in the literature. The predicted solid volume fraction and axial particle velocity were in good agreement with the experimental data within the high density fast fluidization regime. However, the model showed some discrepancy in predicting the gas–solid flow behavior in the riser operating in dense suspension up-flow and low density fast fluidization regimes.