THERMAL TRANSPORT IN 2-PHASE GAS SOLID SUSPENSION FLOW THROUGH PACKED-BEDS

A method to evaluate the overall Nusselt numbers for heat transfer rates in a packed bed with gas-solid suspension flow through it is presented. The model based on earlier work of the authors on heat transfer in single-phase fluid flow through packed beds, includes separation of the overall heat transfer coefficient into conduction, convection and radiation contributions and their interactions. Numerical results indicate that the heat transfer rates increase with loading ratios and Reynolds number, as expected, but the increase varies with different bed materials. This dependence on the properties of the bed material is discussed and predictions using the present model are compared with a correlation available in the literature. For the special case where the bed materials are the same, the literature correlation prediction and the present model agree and the differences obtained where other bed materials are used further illustrates the importance of considering the properties of the bed materials in evaluating the total heat transfer rates. © 1990.