Structured bubbling in layered gas-fluidized beds subject to vibration: A CFD-DEM study

Bubble dynamics in gas fluidized beds are mathematically chaotic and difficult to predict. Various ways have been proposed in the past to alter the overall bubble dynamics to improve particular processes. In particular, it has been shown that pulsed gas flow and vibration can be used to transform the chaotic motion of gas bubbles into a dynamically structured pattern. The structured bubbling pattern does not change with the system width, opening opportunities to address key issues in scaling up gas-solids bubbling fluidized beds. However, the pattern can only maintain for a limited particle height, well below the height of most industrial fluidized beds. Herein, we proposed to use a layered configuration with multiple stages of gas distributors to maintain the ordered bubbling structure to a higher particle height. Computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method (CFD-DEM) simulations performed here demonstrate the effectiveness and key parameters for maintaining structure in the proposed design, providing potential for industrial use.

Automated summary

Bubble dynamics in gas fluidized beds are mathematically chaotic and difficult to predict. Various methods have been proposed to alter the bubble dynamics for specific processes. It has been shown that pulsed gas flow and vibration can transform the chaotic motion of gas bubbles into a structured pattern. This structured bubbling pattern is independent of the system width.