Abstract
Based on experimental observations, some of which were carried in our laboratory, a simple computer simulation model or a simulator to predict the spatiotemporal behavior of bubbles in freely bubbling three-dimensional gasfluidized beds of Group B particles is developed. In this simulator a few criteria have superseded the more sophisticated models for the treatment of interaction and coalescence of bubbles and hence it requires less computational effort. For both laboratory- and large-scale fluidized beds the spatial distribution of bubble diameter as well as that of bubble frequency at any level above the distributor and at various superficial gas velocities were satisfactorily estimated from qualitative and quantitative standpoints. The operation of the simulator was extended to predict the distribution of the fluidizing gas between the continuous and discontinuous phases and the change of coalescence frequency with the height above the distributor. Good agreement with related data reported in the literature was obtained as well.
