Numerical analysis of hydrodynamics in conical spouted bed reactors

High-resolution numerical simulations were employed to quantify the effects of key operating and design parameters on the hydrodynamics of conical spouted beds (CSBs). The simulation model is validated against experimental pressure-loss measurements, showing good agreement. The simulated flow structures accurately reproduce characteristic behaviors reported in the literature. Parametric analysis reveals that increasing bed inventory significantly raises bed height and pressure drop, while reducing global specific kinetic energy (defined as the total kinetic energy of all particles divided by the total bed mass). In contrast, increasing gas velocity substantially elevates specific kinetic energy with negligible impact on bed height. Furthermore, enlarging the entrainment area, whether by increasing entrainment height or utilizing an open-sided draft tube, enhances solid influx from the annulus, thereby intensifying gas–solid momentum exchange and boosting specific kinetic energy. A spectral analysis of the gas-phase turbulent kinetic energy and static pressure identifies the dominant frequencies that dictate the hydrodynamic behavior of the CSB. A comparative assessment with bubbling fluidized beds (BFBs) under identical inventory and gas flow conditions demonstrates that while BFBs exhibit greater bed expansion and pressure drop, CSBs achieve higher specific particle kinetic energy, albeit at the cost of increased total energy input. These findings elucidate the governing hydrodynamic mechanisms and provide practical guidance for the rational design of CSB-based reactors and dryers.