SIMULATION OF FLUIDIZED-BEDS WITH LATTICE-GAS CELLULAR-AUTOMATA

This paper introduces an approach for the simulation of the hydrodynam ic behaviour of gas-solid fluidized beds via the use of lattice gas ce llular automata. This approach is based on a two-speed model, develope d by U. Frisch, B. Hasslacher, and Y. Pomeau. Simulation runs for diff erent configurations of the automaton produce results that can be comp ared to actual data. The simulations show when and how bubbling will o ccur. Values for the bubble diameters as a function of bed height, as well as bed porosities in two horizontal planes have been obtained fro m the simulations. From these results correlation diagrams and the Kol mogorov entropy are calculated. Generally, the results of the simulati ons are qualitatively in good agreement with experimental observations , showing that this new approach could provide a useful tool in predic ting the fluid dynamic behaviour of fluidized beds. (C) 1997 Academic Press.