Simulation study of the adsorption dynamics of cylindrical silica gel particles

The paper presents a simulation study of loose cylindrically shaped particles packed within a copper plate and aluminum fins. The model presented solves coupled heat and mass transfer equations using the finite volume method based on ANSYS FLUENT medium. Three different arrangements of cylindrical particles are considered. The model is validated with experimental data. It is found that the arrangements which represented monolayer configurations are only marginally better in heat transfer and uptake efficiency than the tri-layer configuration in the presence of fins. However, there is an appreciable difference in the uptake curve between mono- and tri-layer configurations in the absence of fins. Finally, it is found that the fin pitch also plays an important role in determining the time constant for the adsorber design.