FLOW IN PACKED BEDS

Laminar Darcy (1856) observed that the flow of water through a packed bed of sand was governed by the relationship:

CarmanKozeny equation [after the work of Carman, 1937; Kozeny, 1927, 1933)] describe laminar flow through randomly packed particles.

Turbulent flow For turbulent flow through a randomly packed bed of monosized spheres of diameter x the equivalent equation is:

General equation for laminar and turbulent flow: Based on extensive experimental data covering a wide range of size and shape of particles, Ergun (1952) suggested the following general equation for any flow conditions:

where: f (or ) = density of fluid, kg/m3 Erguns equation additively combines the laminar and turbulent components of the pressure gradient. Under laminar conditions, the first term dominates and the equation reduces to the Carman Kozeny equation [Equation (6.9)], but with the constant 150 rather than 180. (The difference in the values of the constants is probably due to differences in shape and packing of the particles.) In laminar flow the pressure gradient increases linearly with superficial fluid velocity and independent of fluid density. Under turbulent flow conditions, the second term dominates; p increases as the square of superficial velocity and is independent of fluid viscosity. In terms of the Reynolds number, a fully laminar condition exist for Re* < about 10 and a fully turbulent flow exists Re* > around 2000.

The Ergun and CarmanKozeny equations also accommodate non-spherical particles. If x is replaced by xsv the diameter of a sphere having the same surface to volume ratio as the nonspherical particles in question. Use of xsv gives the correct value of specific surface S (surface area of particles per unit volume of particles).

Thus, in general, the Ergun equation for flow through a randomly packed bed of particles of surface-volume diameter xsv becomes:

and the CarmanKozeny equation for laminar flow through a randomly packed bed of particles of surface-volume diameter xsv becomes:

Sample problem #01: A packed bed of solids of density 2000 kg/m3 occupies a depth of 0.6m in a cylindrical vessel of inside diameter 0.1 m. The mass of solids in the bed is 5 kg and the surfacevolume mean diameter of the particles is 300 mm. Water (density 1000 kg/m3 and (viscosity 0.001 Pa s) flows upwards through the bed. a) What is the voidage of the packed bed? b) Calculate the frictional superficial liquid velocity at which the pressure drop across the bed is 4130 Pa. Solution: a) mass of bed = Area x Height x (1 - e)rp 5 = (p/4)(0.12)(0.6)(1 - e)2000 = 0.4695 b. assume laminar flow: (Re* < 10 , and using the Ergun equation)

since it is assumed that Re* < 10 , the 2nd term maybe dropped-off:

(4130)/0.6 = (150)(0.001)(1-0.4892)2U/[(300/1000000)2(0.4692)3] U = (4130/.6)[(300/1000000)2(0.4692)3]/(150)(0.001)(1-0.4892)2 U = 0.001516 m/s = 1.516 mm/s check Re* = (300/1000000)(0.001516)(2000)/[0.001)(1-0.4695) = 1.71 < 10, (the assumption is valid)

Quiles, Gerry Lou M. BS ChE 4

Introduction to Particle Technology February 8, 2013

PROBLEM SET
1. Water flows through 3.6 kg of glass particles of density 2590 kg/m 3 forming a packed bed of depth 0.475 m and diameter 0.0757 m. The variation in pressure drop across the bed with water flow rate in the range is shown:

a. Demonstrate that the flow is laminar. b. Estimate the mean surface-volume diameter of the particles. c. Calculate the relevant Reynolds number. 2. A packed bed of solid particles of density 2500 kg/m3 occupies a depth of 1m in a vessel of cross-sectional area 0.04m2. The mass of solids in the bed is 50 kg and the surfacevolume mean diameter of the particles is 1mm. A liquid of density 800 kg/m3 and viscosity 0.002 Pa s flows upwards through the bed, which is restrained at its upper surface. a. Calculate the volume fraction . b. Calculate the frictional p across the bed when the volume flow rate of liquid is 1.44m3/h.

SAMPLE PROBLEMS: Flow of Fluids Through Beds

Taken From: Rhodes, Martin, INTRODUCTION TO PARTICLE TECHNOLOGY, Edited Edition 2007, Wiley Publishing, Inc.
1. Water flows through 3.6 kg of glass particles of density 2590 kg/m3 forming a packed bed of depth 0.475 m and diameter 0.0757 m. The variation in pressure drop across the bed with water flow rate in the range is shown:

a. Demonstrate that the flow is laminar. b. Estimate the mean surface-volume diameter of the particles. c. Calculate the relevant Reynolds number.