An investigation on debris bed self-leveling behavior with non-spherical particles

Figures & data

Figure 1. Debris bed formation.

Figure 2. Self-leveling behavior.

Figure 3. Constitution of performed leveling-related experiments.

Figure 4. Schematic diagram of experimental setup.

Table 1. Physical properties of non-spherical particles and the gas flow rates employed.

Material	dv ^a (mm)	ρp (kg/m^3)	φ ^b (–)	VTS ^c (m/s)	Qg (L/min)
Alumina	1.58	3600	0.411	0.31	20.1, 49.2, 103.5
	2.01		0.429	0.37	22.7, 57.8, 99.4
	2.72		0.386	0.46	21.9, 55.7, 111.6
Stainless steel	1.14	7800	0.826	0.43	56.0, 104.8
	2.26		0.737	0.69	55.0, 106.5, 215.3, 296.2

^aVolume-equivalent diameter estimated by weighing a known number (N) of particles: .

^bEstimated by back-calculation of Ergun equation using the method described in Section 2.2.

^cEstimated in water based on d_v using Stokes's law for small particles, and Heywood tables for larger particles [22].

Figure 5. Diagram of measured bed inclination angle.

Figure 6. Schematic view of experimental setup for pressure-drop measurement.

Figure 7. Comparisons between predicted and measured pressure drops using the test spheres.

Figure 8. Parity plot comparing predicted R(t) with experimental data using the base model (spherical particle).

Figure 9. Effect of particle shape on the leveling behavior.

Figure 10. Parity plot comparing predicted R(t) with experimental data using the base model with only V_T corrected (non-spherical particle).

Figure 11. Characteristics of K₃ with different Re_g.

Figure 12. Parity plot of R(t) for both spherical and non-spherical particles with the extension scheme coupled.

Holdich RG. Fundamentals of particle technology. Shepshed: Midland Information Technology & Publishing; 2002. p. 45–54.

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