Simulation and Characterisation of Packed Columns for Cylindrical Catalyst Supports and Other Complex-Shaped Bodies
- 2 Citations
- 3.4k Downloads
Abstract
Catalyst pellets are packed in reactor beds and the shape and mechanical properties have a major influence on the reactor performance by virtue of (i) the detailed topology of the void space and grain surface area and (ii) the fragility of the pack to withstand in-service stresses within the solid skeleton—often through thermal and cyclic stressing. The paper highlights the features of the FEMDEM code used to simulate these performance-related properties of the pack. The local porosity, packing structure, bulk porosity and orientation distributions of the resulting bodies making up the pack of pellets will be presented. The generic methodology illustrated is shown to be suitable for shape optimisation of industrial packing processes.
Keywords
Catalyst Support Stereographic Projection Cylindrical Container Bulk Porosity Ceramic PelletNotes
Acknowledgments
This research work is sponsored by EPSRC and the Johnson Matthey Technology Centre.
References
- 1.Farsi, A., Xiang, J., Latham, J.P., Pullen, A.D., Carlsson, M., Stitt, E.H., Marigo, M.: An application of the finite-discrete element method in the simulation of ceramic breakage: methodology for a validation study for alumina specimens. In: IV International Conference Part Methods—Fundamentals Applications Part 2015 (2015)Google Scholar
- 2.Caulkin, R., Jia, X., Xu, C.: Simulations of structures in packed columns and validation by X-ray tomography. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 48(1), 202–213 (2008)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 3.Caulkin, R., Tian, W., Pasha, M., Hassanpour, A., Jia, X.: Impact of shape representation schemes used in discrete element modelling of particle packing. Comput. Chem. Eng. 76, 160–169 (2015)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 4.Lisle, R.J., Leyshon, P.R.: Stereographic Projection Techniques for Geologists and Civil Engineers. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2004)CrossRefzbMATHGoogle Scholar
- 5.Latham, J.-P., Anastasaki, E., Xiang, J.: New modelling and analysis methods for concrete armour unit systems using FEMDEM. Coast. Eng. 77, 151–166 (2013)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 6.Ketterhagen, W.R.: Modeling the motion and orientation of various pharmaceutical tablet shapes in a film coating pan using DEM. Int. J. Pharm. 409, 137–149 (2011)CrossRefGoogle Scholar