Geometrical Characteristics of a Computer-Generated Three-Dimensional Packed Column of Equal and Unequal Sized Spheres—with Special Reference to Wall Effects

A simulation code is developed to generate three-dimensional, square columns with rigid walls and packed with equal or unequal spheres. Geometrical characteristics of these columns such as porosity variations, coordination number, surface area per unit volume, etc. which are of interest for chemical engineering applications are studied. Emphasized is the wall effect, that is, the relatively high porosity near a wall, on the geometrical characteristics.