Two-phase flow distribution in 2D trickle-bed reactors

An extended discrete cell model (DCM), based on minimization of energy diss ipation rate, is applied to predict two-phase how distribution in the two-d imensional trickle-bed reactors. The main advantages of DCM are that it can qualitatively capture the experimental observations, and readily distingui sh between flow distribution in prewetted and non-prewetted beds, as well a s reflect the effects of bed structure and inlet liquid distributor on two phase flow distribution. For comparison purpose, the results of liquid dist ribution obtained by DCM are compared with both computational fluid dynamic s (CFD) simulations and experimental observations in a 2D bed. The achieved qualitative and quantitative agreement-justifies the use of DCM in predict ing two phase how distribution in packed beds. A particle wetting factor (f ) has been introduced into DCM to account for the influence of particle sur face wetting on liquid flow distribution. Analysis of DCM simulations prese nted based on maldistribution factor (mf) provides a convenient way of quan tifying the effects of particle surface wetting, distributor design and bed depth on the two-phase how field. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.