Numerical Simulation of Flow and Heat Transfer in Structured Packed Beds with Smooth or Dimpled Spheres at Low Channel to Particle Diameter Ratio

Abstract

Packed beds are widely used in catalytic reactors or nuclear reactors. Reducing the pressure drop and improving the heat transfer performance of a packed bed is a common research aim. The dimpled structure has a complex influence on the flow and heat transfer characteristics. In the present study, the flow and heat transfer characteristics in structured packed beds with smooth or dimpled spheres are numerically investigated, where two different low channel to particle diameter ratios (N = 1.00 and N = 1.15) are considered. The pressure drop and the Nusselt number are obtained. The results show that, for N = 1.00, compared with the structured packed bed with smooth spheres, the structured packed bed with dimpled spheres has a lower pressure drop and little higher Nusselt number at 1500 < ReH < 14,000, exhibiting an improved overall heat transfer performance. However, for N = 1.15, the structured packed bed with dimpled spheres shows a much higher pressure drop, which dominantly affects the overall heat transfer performance, causing it to be weaker. Comparing the different channel to particle diameter ratios, we find that different configurations can result in: (i) completely different drag reduction effect; and (ii) relatively less influence on heat transfer enhancement.

Recent Advances in the Analysis of Sustainable Energy Systems

“…Li et al [188] performed a numerical thermo fluid dynamic simulation of packed beds with smooth or dimpled spheres featured by low channel to particle diameter ratio. Such devices are widely used in a plurality of applications, for example catalytic reactors and nuclear reactors.…”

Forced convective rate and pressure drop through a packed annulus: a numerical simulation

“…Shiyang Li et al (8) Numerical analysis Smooth or dimpled spheres in structured packed beds for fluid flow and heat transfer. Identification of complex dimpled structural effects on heat transmission and flow.…”