(271e) An assessment of drag models for predicting fluidized beds with two-fluid and multiphase particle-in-cell frameworks

Simulations of fluidized beds in a 20 cm diameter column are performed using multiple computational frameworks, namely, Eulerian-Eulerian—i.e., two-fluid model (TFM)—and Eulerian-Lagrangian—i.e., multiphase particle-in-cell (MP-PIC)—and compared against experimental measurements. Eight different drag model formulations are examined to investigate the influence of drag model formulation on fluidized bed behavior: Beetstra et al. (2007), Tenneti et al. (2011), Tang et al. (2015), Wen and Yu (1966), Di Felice (1994), Gibilaro et al. (1985), Ergun (1952) and Wen-Yu (1966) blend, Yang et al. (2004), and Syamlal-O'Brien (1989). Experimental measurements and simulation predictions from all drag models are compared. The simulation accuracy is assessed by quantitively comparing axial pressure gradient and entrainment flux predictions to measurements. A discussion of the accuracy of drag model formulation in predicting pressure gradients and entrainment rates for the different computational frameworks is presented here. The most accurate drag model formulations are determined through error analysis.