CFD-DEM investigation on the agglomeration behavior of micron-sized combusted iron fines

The occurrence of agglomeration due to particle sintering is one the most significant technical issues hindering direct reduction process iron oxide fines (DRI) in a high-temperature fluidized bed. To get better understanding mechanism, (de-)fluidization behavior micron-sized particles 3-D bed investigated using Computational Fluid Dynamics coupled with coarse-grained Discrete Element Method (CFD-cgDEM). inter-particle cohesive force considered as temperature-dependent solid bridge force. method first verified by comparing results for different scaling factors. Subsequently, effects temperature on pressure drop, void fraction distribution, velocity and agglomerate size are investigated. In conclusion, developed model shows capacity reliable prediction behavior, which can shed light design DRI beds.