Hydrodynamics of a continuous countercurrent liquid–solid system: experiments and modeling

Abstract

The present work deals with the experimental and modeling studies of hydrodynamics in a continuous countercurrent liquid–solid system. The hydrodynamic variables considered are the pressure drop, phase holdup and flooding velocities. It is observed that the pressure drop and solid holdup in the system increase with increase in phase velocities and decrease with increase in particle diameter and density. The one-dimensional two-fluid model comprising of continuity and momentum equations for each phase with the most suitable drag law closure is used to predict the axial pressure drop profile and the effect of operating variables and particle characteristics on solid holdup. The model predicts satisfactorily the experimental data of the present study and those reported in the literature over a wide range of fluid and particle characteristics. The model also captures the trends of the hydrodynamic variables with the independent parameters.