Pellet Problem

Objective
Set-up the COMSOL Multiphysics fluidized-bed problem for creeping flow over a cylindrical catalyst pellet. 1.
Perform a set of computer experiments for 5Re75 and 4Sc32, hence evaluate non-D parameter
influence on concentration distributions.
2.
Perform a mesh refinement study for the Re = 75, Sc = 4 specification, hence determine a mesh that is
adequate to yield engineering accurate solutions.
3.
Problem Statement
This problem requires that a species DMc be added to DM and DP. The COMSOL Multiphysics mixed
steady-state expression for these conservation principles in the flow field is

where D denotes the diffusion coefficient (m
2
/s) for species mass transport, c is the concentration (mol/m
3
)
and q (kg/ms) is dynamic viscosity. Inside the catalyst pellet, the steady state mass conservation principle is

where D
eff
is the effective diffusion coefficient (m
2
/s), related to the porosity and tortuosity of the pellet, and
k is the rate constant for the assumed second order reaction (m
3
/mols) creating the species mass.
The non-D Reynolds and Schmidt numbers are defined in COMSOL Multiphysics terminology as

where w is the diameter of the pellet and v
o
is the inflow velocity. The corresponding non-D forms for the
conservation principles are

In COMSOL Multiphysics nomenclature, the BCs for the symmetric half-domain flowfield simulation are shown
in Figure 1a, while the BCs for the mass transport are given in Figure 1b. For the flow field, the word
symmetry specifies and no-slip specifies u = 0 . For mass transport, symmetry corresponds to the
Robin BC while convection >> diffusion implies that the BC is ,
which must be evaluated.


Setting up the Problem in COMSOL Multiphysics
This problem requires you to select two modes, the Incompressible Navier-Stokes and the convection and
conduction mode from the Chemical Engineering module. It is required to set the axis and grid based on the
given geometry as shown in the following table
AXIS GRID
X min -0.001 X spacing -0.001
X max 0.003 Extra X 0.0009
Y min -0.001 Y spacing -0.001
Y max 0.007 Extra Y 0.0021 0.00039
The base case data specification is:
Parameter Value
ro (density)
0.66 kg/m
3
mu (dynamic viscosity) 2.6e-5 kg/ms
D (diffusion coefficient)
1e-5 m
2
/s
Deff (effective diffusion coeffcient)
1e-6 m
2
/s
k (rate constant)
100 m
3
/mols
vo (inlet velocity) 0.1 m/s
c1o ( inlet concentration)
1.3 mol/m
3