Simulation of washing of packed bed of porous particles using quintic Hermite splines

Abstract

A comprehensive two phase non-linear mathematical model has been presented with special reference to particle geometry and pore radius of particles. Model equations have been divided into bulk fluid phase and particle phase. Bulk fluid phase is characterized by external fluid whereas particle phase signifies the intraparticle solute concentration and solute concentration adsorbed on particle surface. Interparticle solute concentration and the concentration of solute adsorbed on particle surface are related by Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Model equations have been discretized numerically by Hermite collocation method with quintic basis. Effect of different parameters has been shown via breakthrough curves. Model predicted values have been compared to experimental values given in literature to check the applicability of the model. Keywords: Péclet number, Biot number, Bed porosity, Pore radius of particles, Intraparticle diffusion coefficient