Elucidation of pressure drop in packed-bed systems

Studies on pressure-drop characteristics of beds of equilateral and non-equilateral solid cylinders of aspect ratios ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 have been carried out. These studies have exposed the shortcomings of the commonly used Ergun type correlations for predicting the pressure drop in packed systems. An empirical correlation to predict pressure drop in beds of cylindrical particles has been developed. In addition, derivatives of cylinders, such as hollow cylinders, have been examined, and comparisons have been made with particles, such as spheres.