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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2026
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.04023 |
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| _version_ | 1866910059864260608 |
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| author | Demir, Hakan Sadowski, Wojciech di Mare, Francesca |
| author_facet | Demir, Hakan Sadowski, Wojciech di Mare, Francesca |
| contents | Understanding fluid flow through porous media with complex geometries is essential for improving the design and operation of packed-bed reactors. Most existing studies focus on spherical packings, having as a consequence that accurate models for irregular interstitial geometries are scarce. In this study, we numerically investigated the flow through a set of packed-bed geometries consisting of square bars stacked on top of each other and arranged in disk-shaped modules. Rotation of each module allows the generation of a variety of geometrical configurations at Reynolds numbers of up to 200 (based on the bar size). Simulations were carried out using the open-source solver OpenFOAM. Selected cases (e.g., $α= 30^\circ$, $\mathrm{Re}_\mathrm{p} = 100, 200$) were compared against Particle Image Velocimetry measurements. Results reveal that, based on the relative rotation angle, the realized geometries can be classified as channel-like ($α\leq 10^\circ$) and lattice-like ($α\geq 15^\circ$), fundamentally altering the friction factor. Furthermore, the maximum friction factor obtained in the creeping regime occurred at $α= 25^\circ$, whereas in the inertial regime, this occurred at $α= 60^\circ$. The module-equivalent diameter, based on the angle-dependent wetted surface area, collapses the friction factor onto the Ergun correlation and yields good permeability predictions for the lattice-like geometries. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_04023 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Modelling of pressure drop in periodic square-bar packed beds Demir, Hakan Sadowski, Wojciech di Mare, Francesca Fluid Dynamics Understanding fluid flow through porous media with complex geometries is essential for improving the design and operation of packed-bed reactors. Most existing studies focus on spherical packings, having as a consequence that accurate models for irregular interstitial geometries are scarce. In this study, we numerically investigated the flow through a set of packed-bed geometries consisting of square bars stacked on top of each other and arranged in disk-shaped modules. Rotation of each module allows the generation of a variety of geometrical configurations at Reynolds numbers of up to 200 (based on the bar size). Simulations were carried out using the open-source solver OpenFOAM. Selected cases (e.g., $α= 30^\circ$, $\mathrm{Re}_\mathrm{p} = 100, 200$) were compared against Particle Image Velocimetry measurements. Results reveal that, based on the relative rotation angle, the realized geometries can be classified as channel-like ($α\leq 10^\circ$) and lattice-like ($α\geq 15^\circ$), fundamentally altering the friction factor. Furthermore, the maximum friction factor obtained in the creeping regime occurred at $α= 25^\circ$, whereas in the inertial regime, this occurred at $α= 60^\circ$. The module-equivalent diameter, based on the angle-dependent wetted surface area, collapses the friction factor onto the Ergun correlation and yields good permeability predictions for the lattice-like geometries. |
| title | Modelling of pressure drop in periodic square-bar packed beds |
| topic | Fluid Dynamics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.04023 |