Tortuosity model for fixed beds randomly packed with identical particles

A theoretical model for the tortuosity of a fixed bed randomly packed with identical particles has been developed. The tortuosity is found to be proportional to a packing structure factor ((1-epsilon)(4/3)/epsilon phi(2)) which is explicitly given in terms of bed voidage and particles shape factor (sphericity). The tortuosity equation is then scaled via a simple model closure without introduction of any empirical constants. The model exhibits encouraging qualitative as well as quantitative results when compared to available fixed bed tortuosity data. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.