CFD‐DEM analysis of the spouted fluidized bed with non‐spherical particles

Hydrodynamics of spouted fluidized beds of spherical and elongated sphero‐cylindrical particles with an aspect ratio (AR) of 4 were studied by the CFD‐DEM technique. The multi‐sphere method was adopted to present the sphero‐cylindrical particles. Simulations were validated with the experimental data for both particle types. Bubble equivalent diameter, bubble shape factor, and leakage fraction were obtained in the simulations. Time‐averaged particle velocity and porosity profiles, solids circulation rate, particle exchange distribution at the spout‐annulus interface, were investigated in the beds filled with spherical and sphero‐cylindrical particles at gas mass flow rates of 0.005, 0.007, and 0.009 kg/s. The equivalent bubble diameter was found to be lower for spherical particles compared to sphero‐cylindrical particles. The leakage fraction of the bubble was lower for sphero‐cylindrical particles. Solid circulation rate and spout diameter were larger for the bed of spherical particles. A higher probability of particles transition into the spout was observed for spherical particles. Investigating the orientation showed that sphero‐cylindrical particles tend to orient almost vertically against the gas flow in the spout region, which lowers the exerted drag force, whereas the particles align nearly horizontally in the annulus region. The results revealed that the CFD‐DEM approach is a promising method for investigating the fluid and both spherical and non‐spherical particle behaviours in spouted fluidized beds. Equivalent bubble diameter and bubble shapes for spherical and sphero‐cylindrical particles at ṁ = 0.007 kg/s.