Flow through packed beds: Experimental and numerical validation of the Quinn fluid flow model
Maxim Nikitin, Hubert Michael Quinn, Dmitry Pashchenko
Abstract
This study presents the experimental and numerical validation of the Quinn fluid flow model (QFFM), a novel theoretical framework for predicting pressure drop in packed beds and closed conduits. The QFFM, derived from first principles, establishes a universal linear relationship between the normalized dimensionless pressure gradient (PQ) and fluid current (CQ), expressed as PQ=k1+k2CQ. The model bridges the gap between empirical correlations and particle-resolved simulations, offering an approach for both empty and particle-packed systems. Experimental validation was conducted using a recirculating flow loop with precise pressure and temperature measurements, while numerical simulations employed high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics model. Numerical tests were conducted for a wide range of operational and design parameters of the packed beds for two types of fluid: water and air. Results demonstrate excellent agreement between QFFM predictions and experimental data across laminar, transient, and turbulent flow regimes, with discrepancies below 3.7%. The QFFM outperforms traditional models like the Ergun equation by inherently accounting for tortuosity and microscale flow phenomena. This work highlights the model's potential for optimizing industrial packed-bed systems, providing a useful tool for engineers and researchers.