Modeling a fixed bed using Comsol Multiphysics and CFD

Mendes, Charles Antonio

Student Work

Modeling a fixed bed using Comsol Multiphysics and CFD

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For the conduction mode of heat transfer in a fixed bed, an evaluation of whether one of the most widely used equations for the stagnant overall thermal conductivity ke^0, the Zehner- Schlunder cell model, is the most accurate and most efficient model in literature, was conducted. The equation was compared to a similar equation the Van Antwerpen. Multiple 1D Comsol Multiphysics models were constructed and analyzed for both set of equations. This data was compared to data from a three- dimensional computational fluid dynamics model or CFD model. These comparisons and data analyses established at least for now that the Zehner-Schlunder is still the best option when studying heat transfer in a bed, however further testing using other parameters is suggested.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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