Comparison between detailed (CFD) and simplified models for the prediction of solid particle size distribution in fluidized bed reactors

This work is aimed at developing a simplified model suitable to effectively describe the fluidization behavior within fluidized beds with minimal computational efforts. The simplified model was validated through detailed CFD Euler-Euler simulations showing a good agreement in the case of large particles (about 450 micron) at all the gas velocities considered (20, 40, 61 cm/s). Slightly less accurate outcomes were observed for smaller particles (about 220 micron). This was due to the underestimation of the particle size effect on the fluidization behavior by the simplified approach.