Flow Field Characterisation of Gaseous Flow in a Packed Bed by Particle Image Velocimetry

Packed beds with gaseous flow are used in many industrial processes with high energy and resource consumption. This study provides velocity data of the gas flow through a model packed bed of 40 mm spheres arranged in body centred cubic packing obtained by Particle Image Velocimetry to allow for validation of numerical calculations which are often used for process optimization. Results are presented exemplarily for a particle Reynolds number range from 200 to 500. The flow fields are discussed in terms of inlet conditions to the empty reactor, symmetry and height independent flow structure above the bed and measurements in the optically accessible interstices of the bed. The measurement of a sufficient number of snap-shots for each measurement condition and location allowed also for the determination of the turbulent kinetic energy. Above the bed, low frequency oscillations of the flow are observed, that increase with the Reynolds number. In the interior of the bed, fluctuations are much less pronounced. The appearing flow structures are not significantly influenced by different particle Reynolds numbers, but the velocity magnitude changes.