Kinetic theory based computation of PSRI riser: Part I-Estimate of mass transfer coefficient

The PSRI benchmark challenge problem one is modeled using kinetic theory based CFD with the energy minimization multi-scale (EMMS) drag law. These computations give a better comparison than the previous models to measured solids mass flux, solids density and pressure drop. The computer model was also used to calculate axial and radial normal Reynolds stresses, energy spectra, power spectra, granular temperatures, the FCC viscosity and axial and radial dispersion coefficients. The computed cluster sizes agreed with the published empirical correlations. Then, the mass transfer coefficients and the Sherwood numbers are estimated based on particle cluster sizes. The conventional Sherwood number is scaled with the particle cluster diameter. The Sherwood number is the order of 10(-2) and the mass transfer coefficient is the order of 10(-3) m/s. This Sherwood number is two orders of magnitude smaller than the diffusion controlled limit of two based on particle diameter, in agreement with the experimental data for fluidization of fine particles. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.