Numerical Simulation of Catalyst Dense Loading Based on DEM

Catalyst dense loading of an oval loading device was simulated based on the basic principle of discrete element method (DEM). Effects of rotation speed of the loader and the radius of the catalyst particles were analyzed. The results showed that catalyst loading speed was not equal to outflow speed of the hopper, it increased with the increase of the rotation speed and decreased with increase of the radius of the particles. The distribution radius of catalysts in the reactor was independent with particle size but increased with the increase of the rotation speed of the loader. Collision between particle and the reactor was the main factor to cause particle breakage. The DEM simulations also reveal that when using this device to load spherical catalyst particles there would be a depression in the center of the catalyst bed which was consistent with experimental tests.