Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Simulation of Pulsed Fluidized Beds

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Dans le cadre de la mission d’intérêt général confiée par les pouvoirs publics, IFPEN concentre ses efforts sur :

• l’apport de solutions aux défis sociétaux de l’énergie et du climat, en favorisant la transition vers une mobilité durable et l’émergence d’un mix énergétique plus diversifié ;
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Partie intégrante d’IFPEN, l’école d’ingénieurs IFP School prépare les générations futures à relever ces défis.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Simulation of Pulsed Fluidized Beds

Fluidized bed reactors are encountered in several industrial applications for (bio)chemicals production, which are generally composed of a continuum gas phase and a particulate solid phase. The interaction between these phases and the system operating conditions and geometry creates a complex gas-solid hydrodynamics that has been studied over the years. More recently, pulsed fluidized beds are investigated as a way of improving heat and mass transfer and striping efficiency.

Thus, this internship study is focused on the numerical simulation of a pulsed fluidized bed via CFD. The goal is to improve the understanding of the effect of pulsed gas injection on (i) the dynamics of gas-solid flow and (ii) mass transfer, while identifying the (iii) best models for simulating a specific fluidization unit.

Description

In a previous study, experimental data was acquired in a fluidization unit at IFPEN under several pulsation frequencies for the gas flowrate and using different gas types. The bed hydrodynamics was acquired via pressure drop measurements, bed density, bubble size and bed level.

Thus, the objective of this internship is to simulate this unit and reproduce the experimental hydrodynamics via CFD (e.g., Fluent, Barracuda, etc.), while providing a rationale for the system simulation.

The work will be divided into some tasks:

• Provide a literature review on CFD simulation of fluidized beds / pulsed fluidized beds.
• Identify most used CFD models and model settings.
• Perform CFD simulations of a bench-scale pulsed fluidized bed.
• Evaluate different model settings while comparing the simulation results with experimental data.

Required profile

Fluid mechanics, CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), chemical engineering, modelling skills

Additional information

Duration of the internship : 6 months
Workplace : IFPEN Lyon, Rond-point de l'échangeur de Solaize, 69360 Solaize
Transport : public transportation / personal vehicle
Paid internship : 1080€/month