Experimental Evaluation of Packed Bed Heat Transfer Relations

Abstract

The objective ofthis research is to obtain a relationship between Nusselt and Reynolds numbers of fluid flow in packed bed containing spheres of different sizes. Also, to develop a universal relationship for the Nusselt number in a wide range of Reynolds number and compare the results with those of empty tube. The experimental work covered a range of Reynolds numbers, based on tube diameter, from 2167 to 19400 at various spherical P.V.C.porous media particle diameters from 0.003 to 0.012 m as well as without porous media(empty section). The results of this experimental work show that the Nusselt number improves by a factor of 3.8 to 6.3 times when using porous media for sphere diameters ranging from 0.012 to 0.003 m respectively as compared to the empty tube. Small size spherical porous media yield much better results than large sizes because they offer more turbulence and eddy, while higher pressure drop develops. These results improve the heat transfer coefficient.