Terminal settling velocity and drag coefficient of biofilm-coated particles at high Reynolds numbers

Mehran Andalib, Jesse Zhu, George Nakhla

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The drag force (Fd) on bio-coated particles taken from two laboratory-scale liquid-solid circulating fluidized bed bioreactors (LSCFBBR) was studied. The terminal velocities (ut) and Reynolds numbers (Ret) of particles observed were higher than reported in the literature. Literature equations for determining ut were found inadequate to predict drag coefficient (Cd) in Ret > 130. A new equation for determining Fd as an explicit function of terminal settling velocity was generated based on Archimedes numbers (Ar) of the biofilm-coated particle. The proposed equation adequately predicted the terminal settling velocity of other literature data at lower Ret of less than 130, with an accuracy >85%.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2598-2606
Number of pages9
JournalAICHE Journal
Volume56
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Archimedes number
  • Biofilm-coated particles
  • Circulating fluidized bed bioreactor
  • Drag coefficient
  • Reynolds number
  • Terminal settling velocity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Environmental Engineering
  • General Chemical Engineering

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