Momentum transfer through packed beds of various particles in the turbulent flow regime

Abstract

The flow of air through packed beds of solid and hollow particles of a wide range of geometries was studied, with particular reference to the effect of the particle shape on the pressure drop in the turvbulent range. A method of analysis based on the concept of stagnant void fraction and the principle of drag additivity has been developed. Equations for estimating the stagnant voidages for various particle shapes arranged in a random pattern in a packed bed were derived. A new type of friction factor based on this approach was correlated satisfactorily with a shape factor. The momentum transfer data were also correlated with the sphericity of the particles.