Simulation of a reactive fluidized bed reactor using CFD/DEM

Abstract

This report presents the numerical study of a semi-industrial fluidized bed, which involves a reactive fluid phase and an inert granular phase. The simulations are based on a meso-scale approach using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) to represent the Lagrangian phase behavior coupled with Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) for the fluid phase. To cope with the limiting ratio between mesh and particle size stemming from the CFD/DEM modeling, a dynamic thickened flame approach is used. This approach yields interesting results regarding the prediction of the bed critical temperature.