Experimental and numerical investigation of the behaviour of complex shaped particles in a model scale fluidized bed

In this study a laboratory scale fluidized bed is examined experimentally and numerically through a coupled discrete element method (DEM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. Five differently shaped Geldart D particle groups including spheres, cylinders and cuboids are considered. Numerically obtained results for the pressure drop are in good agreement with experiments for most particles. A study on particle orientations is performed which gives valuable insight into deviations between experiments and simulations. The DEM-CFD correctly describes preferred orientations taken up by elongated particles in the fluid flow.