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u d
p
6 1 ( )
The resistance to the flow of a fluid through the bed of solids is the net result of the total drag
of all the particles in the bed. Depending on the NR
e
, friction factor, laminar /turbulent flow,
form drag and wake formation will occur. Hence, friction factor () for the above system can
be obtained by equating total drag force to the total pressure force.
i.e. R S L (1-) = P
Where R is the drag force per unit area of particle surface. Therefore friction factor can be
obtained as
Exptl
]
) 1 ( 6
[
2
3
u
d
L
P
p
=
Ergun equation was developed attributing viscous drag force and inertial force to the total
pressure drop in the bed and can be written as
Ergun
=4.17 NR
e
-1
+0.29
in the above equation for higher values of NR
e
viscous force becomes negligible and inertial
forces control.
According to Carman the co-relation for friction factor and Reynolds Number can be written
as
Carman
=5 NR
e
-1
+0.4 NR
e
-0.1
for laminar flow, when NR
e
2, the second term of the Ergun and Carman equations
becomes negligible.
Measure the bulk density of three different sizes of glass beads.
Calculate void fraction for the columns.
Select the column to be used and adjust valves appropriately. Pass the fluid through the
packed column at the lowest flow rate to be studied.
Ensure steady state is achieved before taking reading.
Measure the pressure drop across the bed at each increment of flow rate.
Carryout similar experiments, calculations and generate similar plots for other columns.
REFERENCES :
1. McCabe, W.L., J .C. Smith, and P. Harriott, Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering,
5th Edition, McGraw-Hill, Chapter 7 (1993).
2. Coulson, J .M., J .F. Richardson, J .R., Backhurst and J .H. Harkaer, Chemical
Engineering Vol. II, 3rd Edition, Pergamon Press, Chapter 4 (1978).