Simulation of Gas Flow in Reformer Tubes of Direct Reduction Plants and Investigation of Permeability-Porosity Relationship and Pressure Drop Calculation Using Lattice Boltzmann Method

In this paper, gas flow in reformer tubes in direct reduction plants was simulated with fluid flow between two parallel flat plates filled with porous media (catalyst). Single Relaxation Time (SRT) Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) was used in this simulation. The obstacles (catalyst) were simplified as random, circular, rigid and granular ones with uniform diameters. The uniform velocity profile was considered in the entrance of tube and no-slip condition was imposed at solid walls. The effect of varying the Reynolds number on the pressure gradient was studied. The permeability-porosity relationship was surveyed and the corresponding curve was plotted in the LBM scale. The change of streamlines tortuosity in terms of porosity was explored and the results were compared with revised Bruggeman equation.