Fixed bed reactors are widely used in the chemical, nuclear and process industry. Due to the solid particle arrangement and its resulting non-homogeneous radial void fraction distribution, the heat transfer of this reactor type is inhibited, especially for fixed bed reactors with a small tube to particle diameter ratio. This work shows that, based on three-dimensional particle-resolved discrete element method (DEM) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, it is possible to reduce the maldistribution of mono-dispersed spherical particles near the reactor wall by the use of macroscopic wall structures. As a result, the lateral convection is significantly increased leading to a better radial heat transfer. This is investigated for different macroscopic wall structures, different air flow rates (Reynolds number Re = 16 ...16,000) and a variation of tube to particle diameter ratios (2.8, 4.8, 6.8, 8.8). An increase of the radial velocity of up to 40%, a reduction of the thermal entry length of 66% and an overall heat transfer increase of up to 120% are found.
Influence of Macroscopic Wall Structures on the Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Fixed Bed Reactors with Small Tube to Particle Diameter Ratio
