Hydrodynamic characterization and design evaluation of a conical spout–fluidized bed under geometric and gas-distribution effects

Spout–fluidized beds are widely used in gas–solid processing and thermal conversion applications because of their enhanced particle circulation, mixing, and heat-transfer characteristics. However, the combined effects of reactor geometry, distributor configuration, and gas-flow distribution on the hydrodynamic organization of conical spout–fluidized beds are still not sufficiently quantified from a design perspective. In this study, a three-dimensional transient numerical analysis was performed to assess the effects of cone angle, auxiliary-hole number, and auxiliary-to-total flow-rate ratio on gas–solid flow behavior in a conical spout–fluidized bed reactor. The simulations were carried out using an Eulerian–Eulerian two-fluid model coupled with the kinetic theory of granular flow and the Syamlal–O'Brien drag model. Three cone angles (50°, 60°, and 70°), three distributor configurations with 70, 140, and 210 auxiliary holes, and two auxiliary-to-total flow-rate ratios (Qf/QT≈0.15 and Qf/QT=0.43) were investigated. The hydrodynamic response was evaluated using particle velocity, voidage distribution, and two compact flow indices: the radial spout heterogeneity index (RSHI) and the axial spout regularity index (ASRI). The results show that the flow field is governed by a characteristic core–annulus structure consisting of a dilute, high-velocity spout core and a denser recirculating annulus. Increasing Qf/QT enhances auxiliary gas penetration, particle suspension, and radial expansion of the gas-penetrated region; however, it also increases RSHI and ASRI, particularly at lower cone angles, indicating stronger radial heterogeneity and axial irregularity. Increasing the cone angle from 50° to 70° reduces radial hydrodynamic heterogeneity and improves axial spout regularity, whereas the number of auxiliary holes has a secondary and configuration-dependent influence compared with the gas-flow distribution and cone angle. Overall, the findings indicate that the auxiliary-to-total flow-rate ratio primarily controls gas distribution and gas–solid momentum exchange, while the cone angle governs radial uniformity and axial spout regularity. The proposed RSHI–ASRI framework provides a design-oriented basis for comparing conical spout–fluidized bed configurations and selecting operating conditions according to the desired balance between gas–solid interaction intensity, radial uniformity, and axial spout regularity.