Experimental and Numerical Investigation on Hydrodynamics of Swirling Fluidised Bed Reactor

The performance of chemical reactors depends on the transport behaviours of the bed, i.e. heat and mass transfer. As reported in the literature fluidised bed reactors have very efficient transport properties, but problems like channelling and entrainment can be seen due to the axial flow of air. To further improve the reactor performance, process intensification strategy can be used. One of intensified approaches is the swirling motion in the fluidised bed. In this reactor, due to its non-axial movement of air, it avoids the problems which usually occur in the conventional fluidised bed. In this work, we aim to study the hydrodynamics of swirling fluidised bed reactor experimentally and numerically. First, the experimental work related to the swirling fluidised bed is conducted and the results are used to validate the present numerical model. Then, the numerical modelling of single and multiphase phase flows in a swirling fluidised bed is studied. The developed model is validated with the literature experimental data. Finally, the effect of model parameters and operating conditions on the hydrodynamics of the swirling fluidised bed reactor is investigated.