An analytical and experimental study of heat transfer in fixed bed

Heat transfer in a fixed-bed packed with polymeric adsorbent particles, percolated by a liquid phase flowing upward at 60 °C or downward at 20 °C, is experimentally studied in a column 9 cm in diameter and 1 m in length. The transient temperature profiles were measured axially and radially in the column. Sensitivity function calculations enabled to prove that the thermal parameters could be estimated from the experimental data and also to obtain information about the optimum location of the sensors. Experimental transient temperature responses were compared to those predicted by one-dimensional (1-D) and two-dimensional ( 2-D) pseudo-homogeneous (PH) models. By fitting the 2-D model solution to the experimental responses, values for the thermal parameter, effective radial and axial conductivities and the wall heat transfer coefficient were found.