Performance of vertical diffusers carrying Gas-solid flow: Experimental and numerical studies

Abstract In the present work, numerical and experimental studies are carried out to investigate the performance of vertical straight-walled conical diffusers carrying air-solid two-phase flow. Eulerian-Lagrangian approach is used to numerically simulate the two phases using the Chen-Kim k-e turbulence model. The continuous phase (gas) is simulated using Eulerian frame by solving Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANS), while the dispersed phase (solids) is simulated using particle tracking method. Coupling between the two phases is established by adding particle source terms and void fraction in the continuous phase equations. A 4-way coupling is adapted to include the effect of particle-particle collisions. Lift forces, particle dispersion and particle-wall collisions are also considered in the simulation of solid-phase. The experimental study is carried out on a pilot scale vertical pneumatic transport system. Four different diffuser geometries are tested at various inlet-Reynolds numbers and mass loading ratios. Sand particles of different sizes and mass flow rates are used to represent the solid phase. Comparisons between numerical predictions and experimental results indicated good agreement. The effects of solid parameters are significant for small angled-diffusers and decrease as the diffuser angle increases. It is also found that, there is a significant decrease in the separation zone within diffuser due to the presence of solid particles. Energy is transferred from the gas phase to the solid phase in the upstream pipe. This energy is transferred again to the gas phase through the diffuser and its downstream tangent pipe. The rate of energy transfer is enhanced by increasing the solid mass flow rate and decreasing the particle size. The results show that the mass loading and size of solid particles have significant effects on the diffuser loss coefficient.