CFD-DEM simulation of a fluidized bed crystallization reactor

In the present study, a fluidization process in a fluidized bed crystallizer is examined using multiphase CFD-DEM (CFD: Computational Fluid Dynamics; DEM: Discrete Element Method) simulations. The simulations were carried out using the coupled open source software CFDEMcoupling. After validating the simulation results with first experimental measurements, have been used for process understanding and improvement. In particular, regions with complex flow features but important for process outcome have been identified within the crystallizer. Moreover the simulations delivered valuable information that are difficult or even impossible to measure experimentally with sufficient accuracy.