Fig. 9 shows the effect of particle density on t90 and Qmax/t90
values. All of the simulations in this section have been implemented
in constant total particle volume (Np z 45,000) and the
same fluid velocity. The mass heat capacity (m.cp) of the particles
was fixed at m.cp ¼ 2782.395 (J/K).
Qmax/t90 is a representative of the amount of total heat absorption
capacity of the particles divided by 0.9 of total time for
heat transfer between two phases, which can be used as a representative
criterion for the mean rate of heat transfer between two
phases.
As can be seen from Fig. 9A t90 value decreases with increasing
particle density. This can be explained by the correlations presented
for Nu number. For example from Gunn equation it can be
seen that Nu ¼ f(Re, Pr, ε). For all data points of Fig. 9A and B the
values of Re and Pr remain almost constant, but the only variable
that changes the Nu value is the bed voidage. According to the Gunn
equation at constant Rep and Pr, Nu number has a descending trend
with εl. At higher particle densities the bed voidage tends to
decrease, leading to lower εl.
Consistent with previous findings [18,27] the fluid to particle
heat transfer coefficient increases by reducing the bed voidage. The
results presented in Fig. 9B can also be explained in the same
manner.