Simulation of hydrodynamics in gas distribution devices for non-homogeneous mode of fluidization

Abstract

An increase in the intensity of diffusion-controlled processes during granulation is provided by apparatuses with non-homogeneous fluidization, the hydrodynamics of which significantly depends on the structural features of the granulator chamber and the gas distributing device (GDD). The main problem is the formation of stagnant zones on the working surface of GDD, which, when supplying a coolant with temperature that exceeds the melting point of granules, leads to the melting of solids and the termination of the process.
 In this work, the simulation of hydrodynamics in the granulator chamber was carried out using SolidWorks 2022 SP2 for 4 types of gas distribution devices (GDD) of different configurations with different values ​​of the cross-section coefficient of GDD.
 The analysis of the simulation results shows that the most significant influence on the hydrodynamic activity index near the surface of GDD iha has the cross-section coefficient of GDD φ, since even an insignificant increase in the value of φ from 3.0 to 3.5% leads to a significant decrease in the hydrodynamic activity index iha by at least 1.4 times for all considered types of GDD. The simulation of hydrodynamics was carried out without taking into account the presence of solid granular material in the granulator chamber and near the surface of GDD plate.