Detailed comparison of Euler-Lagrange and Euler-Euler models for simulation of dense gas fluidised beds

A critical comparison of a hard-sphere discrete particle model, a two-fluid model with kinetic theory closure equations and experiments performed in a pseudo two-dimensional gas-fluidised bed is made. Bubble patterns, time-averaged particle distributions and bed expansion dynamics measured with a nonintrusive digital image analysis technique are compared to simulation results obtained at three different fluidisation velocities. For both CFD models the simulated flow fields and granular temperature profiles are compared. The effects of grid refinement, particle-wall interaction, long-term particle contacts, particle rotation and gas-particle drag are studied. The most critical comparison between experiments and model results is given by analysis of the bed expansion dynamics. Though both models predict the right fluidisation regime and trends in bubble sizes and bed expansion, the predicted bed expansion dynamics differ significantly from the experimental results.