Cyclic heat transfer and static pressure drop measurements on packed beds

Abstract

Using a cyclic temperature technique, average heat transfer coefficients were determined for gas flow through packed beds. Materials of widely differing thermal diffusivities were used, comprising, in turn, spheres of zircon sand, glass, steel and aluminium. The results agreed with data in the literature obtained by using a conventional heated sphere method. Pressure losses associated with flow of air through the beds were also measured, and the corresponding friction factors were evaluated for a considerable range of Reynolds numbers (2,500-35,000).