A TFM-IBM method for Cartesian grid simulation of gas-solid flows in complex geometries

Abstract

Accurate simulation of gas-solid flows with complex geometries is critical for fluidized bed reactor design, optimization, and scaleup. Given the inherent limitations of body-fitted meshes, this study developed, for the first time, a combined two-fluid model and immersed boundary method (TFM-IBM) approach for Cartesian grid simulation of dense gas-solid flows with complex geometries. Two cylindrical bubbling fluidized beds with different shapes and a fluidized bed with immersed tubes were simulated to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the TFM-IBM solver. It can be observed that the simulation results of TFM-IBM approach are in a good agreement with the experimental data and the numerical results obtained using CFD-DEM-IBM method, and can achieve the same or better accuracy than those of a body-fitted structured mesh. The solver has significant implications for the engineering applications of continuum model of gas-solid flows.