Region-dependent analysis on particle behaviours in a spout-fluidized bed using the discrete hard sphere particle method

Discrete hard sphere particle models and improved large eddy simulations were used to investigate the relationship between gas channels and particle behavior. The spatial characteristics of particles were investigated through region-dependent analysis. A spout-fluidized bed could be divided into upper and lower parts according to clear differences in particle behavior. Particle motion in the lower section is driven by the gas channel generation process, leading to a strong gas-solid interaction. In the upper section, strong gas-solid interactions occurred only in the vicinity of the gas-channel. The complex generation, evolution, and dissolution of the gas channel was anisotropic, leading to spatial variations in particle behavior. The influence of various models and operation parameters were studied, and results could be used to optimize the design of reactors and enhance gas-solid interactions. (author)