Simulation of non-Newtonian fluid flow through fixed and fluidized beds of spherical particles

Abstract

The flow of Newtonian and power law fluids through beds of particles has been investigated by solving the equations of continuity and momentum in the framework of the free-surface cell model. The finite-element method has been used for predicting the flow fields in terms of the primitive variables u, p, and v. Theoretical estimates of drag for assemblages of particles are obtained for wide ranges of physical and kinematic conditions: 10^-3 ≤ Re ≤ 100, 0.4 ≤ n ≤ /, and 0.3 ≤ ε ≤ 0.9. The accuracy of the numerical scheme has been tested using known analytical results for creeping Newtonian flow. The drag results obtained herein can be used successfully to predict the friction factor for flow in fixed and fluidized beds and the minimum ftuidizalion velocity for a given liquid-solid system.