Abstract
Fully developed forced-convection heat transfer in a cylindrical packed bed is examined theoretically based on a two-dimensional, distributed parameter model incorporating the effects of non-Darcy, variable porosity and radial thermal dispersion. The validity of the present heat-transfer model is addressed in comparison with available experimental data. Several system parameters such as the Prandtl number Pγ, the ratio of the thermal conductivity of solid to that of fluidκ, the bed radius to particle diameter ratio Γ and the particle Reynolds number Rep are varied systematically in the theoretical computations. It is found that the Nusselt number Nup at RepPγ→ 0 takes a constant value depending on bothκ and Γ, while Nup for large RepPγ depends on both RepPγ and Pγ, but scarcely onκ.
