A Numerical Study Exploring the Effect of Particle Properties on the Fluidization of Adhesive Particles

The effects of varying the elastic modulus, coefficient of restitution, and coefficient of friction of adhesive particles on fluidized bed dynamics have been investigated via numerical simulations. It is found that lower values of the elastic modulus and coefficient of restitution lead to a greater degree of particle clustering, and the formation of smaller bubbles. Coordination numbers are found to initially increase, and then fall, with increasing coefficient of friction, while bubble velocities follow the opposite trend. It is concluded that artificially reducing the elastic modulus of adhesive particles has a significant impact on the fluidization behavior. The change in dynamics of the fluidized bed due to varying the coefficient of friction is more complex: particle clustering increases up to a point, beyond which clusters become increasingly rigid. (C) 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers