Numerical simulation of particle motion and heat transfer in a rotary kiln

• Particle motion and heat transfer characteristics have been studied.
• Two fluid model and granular flow theory are utilized coupled with heat transfer model.
• Temperature decreases from surface of the bed to passive layer.
• The main factor which affected the temperature distribution in the kiln is initial gas temperature.

A two-fluid approach and diverse heat transfer models are applied to a two-dimensional cross-section of a rotary kiln coupled with granular flow kinetic theory, which treats random granular motion as thermal molecular motion. The models are validated by comparison with the available experimental data. The results show that the bed surface velocity characteristic peak is located at the center and down the edges. The highest temperature is found at the bed surface and the temperature gradient in the bed is lower than that in the rotary kiln wall. The main factors that affect the temperature distribution are the initial gas temperature and rotational speed of the kiln.

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