Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Chemical Engineering
Document Type
Dissertation
Abstract
Particulate systems have been widely studied because of its various phenomena and tight relationship with industry applications. In this dissertation, two types of computational models have been adopted to study two problems with different particulate systems: granular self-organization inside a cylinder driven by an orbital-shaker and the optimal design of bypass line for an industrial-scale 8‑leg polyolefin loop reactor.
In the first study, behavior of both single particle and multiple particles in a rotating cylinder has been modeled by discrete element method (DEM) to understand the mechanism of granular self-organization. Sets of studies have then been performed to study the effect of different parameters. This work may benefit the design and operation of equipment involving such kind of granular systems. Further, it serves as the validation of DEM modelling framework on a complex dynamical system with several degrees of self-organization in granular systems.
In the second study, CFD simulations were applied to design optimal bypass line for a polyolefin 8-leg loop reactor. 2D CFD simulations were performed to qualitatively compare the slug dissipation processes of three types of bypass line connections. Then, 3D simulations were used to compare the effect of installation angle on the withdrawal rate of the solid phase into the bypass line. By combining these approaches, an optimal design of bypass line was recommended for the loop reactor considered in this study. This design approach can also be generally applied to design bypass lines for other loop reactor configurations.
Date
8-13-2018
Recommended Citation
Yu, Jielin, "Applications of Computational Models on Studying Particulate Systems" (2018). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 4693.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/4693
Committee Chair
Nandakumar, Krishnaswamy
DOI
10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.4693