Coarse grain 3D CFD-DEM simulation and validation with capacitance probe measurements in a circulating fluidized bed

A cold flow circulating fluidized bed (CFB) reactor is simulated under three fluidization velocities with the coarse grain discrete element method (DEM) using two different polydisperse particle systems namely glass beads and slightly coarser sand particles of Geldart A-B range. Particle velocities and particle concentration were measured by capacitance probe for the validation of the numerical model. The simulations were carried out using a homogenous drag model and a structure dependent drag model using the theory of energy minimization multiscale method (EMMS). Numerical parameters like grid resolution and computational time were investigated for the coarse grain CFD-DEM model, suggesting a cell uniformity criteria that might lead to more mesh independent results. The simulated macroscopic quantities such as pressure profile are generally in good agreement for all simulated cases using the EMMS model. Microscopic quantities such as particles velocities and solids concentration are partially matched well with the experimental data. The qualitative profiles of particle velocity and particle concentration are in better agreement for the EMMS model than for the homogenous drag model. The simulated reactor outflux using glass beads is well matched with experiment. The simulated reactor outflux with sand material is overestimated with EMMS model, although not that strong as for the Gidaspow model, in comparison to experimental measurements. One reason for the discrepancy is due to the cluster diameter correlation that require further development to be applicable in turbulent fluidization flow regime. Further model improvements are discussed and solutions are provided. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.