Analyzing the Influence of Key Model Parameters in Two-Fluid CFD Modeling of an Inclination-Augmented Liquid–Solid Fluidized Bed

To understand the dynamics of liquid–solid flow in an inclined fluidized bed such as the Reflux Classifiers, two-dimensional numerical simulations are performed by using a two-fluid Eulerian model. There are several literature reports available for conventional fluidized beds, and also a few have modeled inclined channels using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. However, there is still no consensus on how to choose appropriate closure models and sensitive model parameters in the CFD modeling of a liquid–solid fluidized bed containing an inclined section at the top. Here, the influences of various pertinent model parameters like interphase drag force, lift force, solid viscosity model, particle–particle restitution coefficient, and particle-wall specularity coefficient on average solid volume fraction and suspension length are thoroughly demonstrated to realize their impact on the hydrodynamic behavior. This study suggests that for an inclined fluidized bed operated in the laminar regime, choosing suitable drag models and taking lift force into account result in a significant improvement in the model predictions.