Numerical Simulation of Effect of Internals on Slugging Fluidization and Analysis of Nonuniformity Index

Abstract The Two-Fluid Model (TFM) using the Kinetic Theory of Granular Flow (KTGF) was applied to simulate 3-D dense fluidized beds with different complex internals. The slugging fluidization was found in the simulated results. When the internals were placed into the reactors, the simulated results showed that the slugs were broken up and bubbling fluidization was formed instead of slugging fluidization. The formation, growth, size, and shape of bubbles were validated to ensure a reasonable prediction. Furthermore, the simulated pressure drop was compared with the corresponding experimental data from the dense fluidized beds with different complex internals, and good agreements were observed. Finally, the flow nonuniformity in the dense fluidized beds was evaluated by a developed method. This method extended Radial Nonuniformity Index (RNI) to Face Nonuniformity Index (FNI) and Volume Nonuniformity Index (VNI). From the calculated FNI and VNI, the fluidization quality of the fluidized beds was quantitatively judged as follows: No.3 > No.1> No.2 > No.4 > Without Internal.