Sensitivity Analysis on the Fluid Dynamics of a Draft Tube Spouted Bed With Bottom Particles Feed

A numerical study was carried out on the parametric sensitivity of the fluid dynamic variables for a draft tube spouted bed (SB) with bottom particles feed. The sensitivities of variables such as the air and particle velocities and voidages in the spout region, as functions of key model parameters, like the spout–annulus air distribution, solids recirculation rates and gas–particle drag coefficient were determined. The model was numerically integrated and sensitivities obtained by the central differences approach. The sensitivities were seen to depend on air inlet flowrates and heights in the bed. For air flowrates close to the minimum spouting velocity the model is very sensitive to all the parameters studied. In most cases, the variables were moderately to highly sensitive to air distribution in the bed. On the other hand, the variables were minimally to moderately sensitive to the drag coefficient and solids recirculation rates. The maps of sensitivity obtained provide useful information for planning of the probe location, hydrodynamic modeling and directing of future work on SB with bottom particles feed.