Development of a coalescence model in gas-solid fluidized bed for the population balance equation

A new bubble coalescence model was developed to simulate the bubble size distribution in gas-solid bubbling fluidized bed. The model took into account the collisions due to the difference of bubble rising velocity and wake entrainment of bubbles. The coalescence efficiency of colliding bubbles are developed by analogy with the liquid film drainage process in a gas-liquid system. The present model also considered the physical phenomena, and the coalescence model was closured by performing sensitivity analysis on the unspecified parameters in the model. The established model was coupled with the population balance equations (PBEs) in order to predict bubble size distribution in the fluidized bed. The model results reasonably predicted the trends of bubble size distribution and were in good agreement with the experimental data.

Automated summary

A new model was developed to simulate the bubble size distribution in gas-solid bubbling fluidized bed, considering the collisions and wake entrainment of bubbles. The coalescence efficiency of colliding bubbles was developed based on the liquid film drainage process in a gas-liquid system. The model results effectively predicted the bubble size distribution and showed good agreement with experimental data.