| Flow maldistribution inside the fixed bed is noticed through the analysis of the velocity profiles obtained. The variation of the velocity values makes clear that the fluid does not have a ‘plug flow’ behavior in any part of the bed. The influence of the gravity forces over the velocity fields inside the packed bed can be noticed in the presence of convective flow due to the temperature and density gradients in the fluid. Figure 25 shows the obtained velocities in the longitudinal axis of the fixed bed. It can be noticed that velocity values are not uniform along the axis.

Figure 25: Velocity values in the longitudinal axis of the fixed bed.
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