The influence of the riser exit on the particle residence time distribution in a circulating fluidised bed riser

This paper reports measurements of the influence of riser exit geometry upon the particle residence time distribution in the riser of a square cross section, cold model, circulating fluidised bed. The bed is operated within the fast fluidisation regime. The fast response particle RTD technique developed by Harris et al. (Chem. Eng. J. 89 (2002) 127-142) was used to measure the residence time distribution.The geometry of the riser exit is shown to have a modest but consistent influence upon the particle RTD; the influence of operating conditions, i.e. superficial gas velocity and solids flux is more significant.Increasing the refluxing effect of the riser exit increases the mean, variance and breakthrough time and decreases the coefficient of variation of the residence time distribution. Changes in reflux do not have a systematic effect upon the skewness of the RTD.     

Particle velocities and their residence time distribution in the riser of a CFB

The riser of a Circulating Fluidised Bed (CFB) is the key-component where gas-solid or gas-catalytic reactions occur. Both types of reactions require different conditions of operating velocities (U), solids circulation fluxes (G), overall hydrodynamics and residence times of solids and gas. The solids hydrodynamics and their residence time distribution in the riser are the focal points of this paper. The riser of a CFB can operate in different hydrodynamic regimes, each with a pronounced impact on the solids motion. These regimes are firstly reviewed to define their distinct characteristics as a function of the combined parameters, U and G.Experiments were carried out, using Positron Emission Particle Tracking of single radio-actively labelled tracer particles. Results on the particle velocity are assessed for operation in the different regimes. Design equations are proposed.The particle velocities and overall solids mixing are closely linked. The solid mixing has been previously studied by mostly tracer response techniques, and different approaches have been proposed. None of the previous approaches unambiguously fits the mixing patterns throughout the different operating regimes of the riser. The measured average particle velocity and the velocity distribution offer an alternative approach to determine the solids residence time distribution (RTD) for a given riser geometry. Findings are transformed into design equations.The overall approach is finally illustrated for a riser of known geometry and operating within the different hydrodynamic regimes.     

Hydrodynamic considerations on optimal design of a three‐phase airlift bioreactor with high solids loading

The hydrodynamic study of a three‐phase airlift (TPAL) bioreactor with an enlarged gas–liquid dual separator was carried out. Different lengths and diameters of the draft tube were tested to show how the design of the separator zone affects the hydrodynamic performance of the TPAL reactor. Ca‐alginate beads with entrapped yeast biomass at different loadings (0, 7, 14 and 21% v/v) were used in order to mimic the solid phase of conventional high cell density systems, such as those with cells immobilized on carriers or flocculating cells. Important information on multiphase flow and distribution of gas and solid phases in the internal‐loop airlift reactor (ALR) with high solids loading was obtained, which can be used for suggesting optimal hydrodynamic conditions in a TPAL bioreactor with high solids loading. It is finally suggested that the ALR with a dual separator and a downcomer to riser cross‐sectional area ratio (A_D/A_R) ranging from 1.2 to 2.0 can be successfully applied to batch/continuous high cell density systems, where the uniform distribution of solid phase, its efficient separation of particles from the liquid phase, and an improved residence time of air bubbles inside the reactor are desirable. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Wall surface effects on particle-wall friction factor in upward gas-solid flows

The variation of the particle-wall friction factor along the riser is investigated in an Internal Circulating Fluidized Bed (ICFB) riser 1 m in length and 0.052 m in diameter. The results obtained are based on calculating the normal and the shear forces at the wall under dynamic conditions rather than the static ones usually obtained in shear box experiments.The strength of the method used resides in the measurement technique applied to measure the particle velocity field in the riser. The radioactive particle tracking program was developed for coaxial systems and is used to build dynamic pictures of particle trajectories in the vicinity of the wall of the ICFB riser.The experiments were conducted using sand (d_p = 250 µm) and alumina (d_p = 170 µm) materials in the gas velocity range between 2 and 12 m/s. The most common correlations for calculating the particle-wall friction factor are reviewed and compared to the results obtained in this work. The data obtained demonstrates that the particle-wall friction factor is not a constant value but changes along the riser and with change in the gas superficial velocity. The results also show the effect of the roughness of the wall surface and define the particle-wall friction factor area.     

高密度液固循环流化床流动特性研究及数值模拟

在φ80 mm×8000 mm的液固循环流化床提升管中,利用实心玻璃珠和常温水,采用实验和数值模拟相结合的方法对高密度液固循环流化床的流动特性进行了考察。实验发现,高密度液固提升管中,颗粒固含率和颗粒速度径向分布均为抛物线分布,轴向平均固含率分布总体上为下浓上稀的波动形式分布,颗粒在提升管中的流动表现出加速-减速-再加速直至充分发展的过程。这种分布特征与较高颗粒浓度、较高表观液速和颗粒循环速率及喷管式液体分布器的影响有关。液固提升管中固体颗粒的停留时间分布曲线均为尖而窄、较对称且没有明显拖尾的单峰分布,这表明颗粒基本是以弥散颗粒形式存在,颗粒停留时间分布较为均匀。通过将数值模拟结果与实验结果进行比较发现,模拟值与实验值吻合较好,说明所建立的数学模型较为合理,进一步通过数值模拟实验对颗粒密度和颗粒粒径对流动特性的影响规律进行了考察。     

Tomographic diagnosis of gas maldistribution in gas-solid fluidized beds

Phase distribution is one of the key hydrodynamic parameters useful for the design and performance assessment of fluidized bed dryers (FBDs). It has direct influence on the drying rate, thermal efficiency, residence time distribution and degree of mixing. The quality of fluidization strongly depends on the uniformity of distribution of the fluidizing gas and the physical properties of the material to be fluidized. In the present work, gamma ray tomography (GRT) study was carried out in the form of chordal solid hold-up, which was found to be greatly influenced by the gas distributor design. The performance of a gas distributor due to the prevalent practice of operating at lower values of distributor-to-bed pressure drop ratio was characterized in a 0.15 m diameter fluidized bed dryer over a broad range of superficial gas velocity. The effects of various parameters such as solids loading, particle size and particle density were analyzed with the help of the reconstructed solid hold-up profiles. The fluidization was studied in terms of maldistribution factor (χ), a value of 5% or less can be obtained by properly designing distributor for a given bed loading, particularly for batch fluidized bed dryers. An industrial size fluidized bed dryer of 1 m diameter was also examined tomographically to obtain quantitative information on the solid hold-up distribution within the bed.     

喷嘴进料对提升管进料段内颗粒浓度分布的影响

在提升管冷模实验装置上考察了喷嘴进料对颗粒浓度径向分布的影响规律. 结果表明,提升管进料段内存在3种形式的颗粒浓度径向分布,在距喷嘴较近的轴向区域,颗粒浓度沿径向呈明显的W形分布,喷嘴进料对颗粒流动的影响很强;在距喷嘴较远的轴向位置,颗粒浓度沿径向呈环-核分布,喷嘴进料对颗粒流动的影响很弱;在二者之间,颗粒浓度沿径向呈弱W分布,喷嘴进料对颗粒流动具有一定影响. 随着喷嘴气速的增加或预提升气速的减小,颗粒浓度逐渐由W形分布转变为环-核分布,喷嘴进料对颗粒流动的影响逐渐减弱. 采用喷嘴射流动量与预提升来流动量比Mj/Mr考察了操作参数及装置结构尺寸对提升管进料段内颗粒浓度径向分布的综合影响. 在实验范围内,动量比对进料段内颗粒浓度径向分布及颗粒流动行为具有明显的影响规律,随着动量比的增加,颗粒浓度逐渐由W形分布转变为环－核分布,操作参数及装置结构尺寸对颗粒流动的影响逐渐减小. 在动量比小于4.21时,操作参数及装置结构尺寸对颗粒流动的影响在H=0.675~1.075 m间的轴向位置基本结束;在动量比增大为4.21时,操作参数及装置结构尺寸对颗粒流动的影响在H=0.375~0.675 m间的轴向位置便已基本结束.     

Investigation of gas properties, design, and operational parameters on hydrodynamic characteristics, mass transfer, and biomass production from natural gas in an external airlift loop bioreactor

An external airlift loop bioreactor (EALB) was used for production of biomass from natural gas. The effect of riser to downcomer cross sectional area ratio (A_r/A_d), volume of gas-liquid separator, superficial gas velocity (U_sgr), and physical properties of gases and their mixtures [υ_g (μ/ρ) and D_g] were investigated on mixing time, gas hold-up, and volumetric gas liquid mass transfer coefficients (k_La). It was found that A_r/A_d has remarkable effects on gas hold-up and k_La due to its influence on mixing time. Kinematic viscosity (υ_g) showed its significant role on mixing time, gas hold-up and k_La when different gases used (mixing time changes directly whereas gas hold-up and k_La change indirectly). Moreover, it was found that diffusion coefficient of gas in water (D_g) has remarkable effect on k_La. The volumetric mass transfer coefficients for methane and its mixtures with oxygen (three different mixtures) were determined at different geometrical and operational factors. In average, the rate of oxygen utilization is approximately 1.8 times higher than that of methane. A gas mixture of 25 vol% methane and 75 vol% oxygen was the best gas mixture for biomass production in the EALB. The correlations developed for predicting the mixing time, gas hold-up, and k_La in terms of U_sgr, A_r/A_d, volume of gas-liquid separator, and gas phase properties have been found to be encouraging.     

Fluidization behavior in a circulating slugging fluidized bed reactor. Part I: Residence time and residence time distribution of polyethylene solids

Square nosed slugging fluidization behavior in a circulating fluidized bed riser using a polyethylene powder with a very wide particle size distribution was studied. In square nosed slugging fluidization the extent of mixing of particles of different size depends on the riser diameter, gas velocity, hold up and solids flux in the riser. Depending on the operating conditions the particle residence time distribution of a riser in the slugging fluidization regime can vary from that of a plug flow reactor to that of a well-mixed system.Higher gas velocities cause shorter particle residence times because of a significant decrease in the hold-up of particles in the riser at higher gas velocities. A higher solids flux also shortens the average residence time. Both influences have been quantified for a given polyethylene-air system.Residence time and residence time distribution were determined for different particle size and the influence of gas velocity, solids flux, hold up and riser diameter was studied. When comparing data from segregation and residence time experiments it is clear that segregation data can predict the spread in residence time as a function of overall residence time, particle size and gas velocity. The differential velocity between small and large particles found in the segregation experiments can predict the spread in residence time as found in the residence time distribution experiments with a powder with a broad particle size distribution. Raining of particles through the slugs was studied as a function of plug length, gas velocity and pulse length. It was found that raining is not the determining mechanism for segregation of particles.     

Particle motion in the CFB riser with special emphasis on PEPT-imaging of the bottom section

The riser is the key-part of a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) and its hydrodynamics are determined mainly by the combined operating superficial gas velocity, U, and solids circulation flux, G. The bottom part of the riser contributes to the total pressure drop of the riser and affects the solids residence time in the riser, due to the possible existence of a dense bed and to the presence of an acceleration zone. Positron Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT) is applied to study these phenomena by measuring the real-time particle motion in a riser of 0.09 m diameter, defining (i) the extent of the acceleration zone, including acceleration length and acceleration time; (ii) the occurrence of a bubbling/turbulent bed under specific conditions of U and G; (iii) the establishment of a fully developed flow immediately after the acceleration zone; (iv) the occurrence of core-annulus flow under specific combinations of U and G; and (v) the disappearance of the intermediate core-annulus region at high values of U and G, where riser hydrodynamics will be either dilute or dense solid up-flow.The particle upflow velocity, U_pf, after acceleration was measured and compared with the situation of dilute transport. When the solids circulation flux increases, the dilute transport mode no longer prevails, and U_pf should be calculated using an appropriate slip factor, itself a combined factor of U and G. The acceleration length and time are nearly constant, at an approximate average of 0.26 m and 0.21 s respectively, independent of U and G. The acceleration length can be modelled fairly accurately, using a C_D-factor of approximately 3.2, which is about half the value predicted by empirical equations established for dilute transport.Dense Suspension Upflow (DSU) is achieved when G exceeds ~ 130 kg m⁻ ² s^− 1.     

Flow phenomena in the exit zone of a circulating fluidized bed

An experimental investigation of the gas and solids flow in a pilot-scale circulating fluidized bed (CFB) cold model with two different abrupt exit configurations (L-shape and extended top) has been carried out. Measurements of axial pressure profiles, high-speed video images of the flow phenomena at the wall as well as local optical probe measurements inside the exit zone are presented. Contrary to published results obtained in bench-scale CFB risers the axial profiles of the apparent solids volume concentration obtained by pressure measurements showed no indication of an increased solids hold-up in the vicinity of the exit, which confirms the conclusion by Pugsley et al. (Can. J. Chem. Eng. 75 (1997) 1001) that this is a scale effect. The local probe measurements showed the well-known core–annulus flow structure prevailing until the riser top. In the vicinity of the exit this flow structure is superimposed by a strong horizontal velocity component directed to the exit duct. In comparison to the conventional L-shaped abrupt exit the extended top does not increase the solids inventory in the riser.     

PREDICTION OF SOLIDS CIRCULATION RATE IN THE RISER OF AN INTERNALLY CIRCULATING FLUIDIZED BED (ICFB)

A predictive mathematical model based on pressure drop in the riser of an Internally Circulating Fluidized Bed (ICFB) is developed to predict solids circulation rate (Gs). The values of G_s predicted using the model agree well with the experimental data. The model also predicts well G_s at higher operating temperatures in the riser of an ICFB.     

A model for the pressure balance of a low density circulating fluidized bed

The pressure balance along the solid circulation loop of a circulating fluidized bed equipped with a solid flux regulating device has been modelled and the influence of the pressure balance on the riser behaviour has been predicted.The solid circulation loop has been divided into many sections, where the pressure drop was calculated independently: riser, cyclone, standpipe, control device and return duct. A new theoretical model, that is able to predict the pressure losses in the return path of the solid from the standpipe to the riser, has been built. A new correlation for cyclone pressure loss with very high solid loads has been found on the basis of experimental data.The pressure loss in the riser has been calculated by imposing the closure of the pressure balance, ΣΔP = 0. Once the riser pressure drop had been calculated, the holdup distribution along the riser was obtained by imposing a particular shape of the profile, according to the different fluid-dynamics regimes (fast fluidization or pneumatic transport). In the first case, an exponential decay was imposed and the bottom holdup was adjusted to fit the total pressure drop, in the second case, the height of the dense zone was instead varied.The experimental data was used to develop the sub-models for the various loop sections have been obtained in a 100 mm i.d. riser, 6 m high, CFB. The solid was made of Geldart B group alumina particles. The tests were carried out with a gas velocity that ranged between 2 and 4 m/s and a solid flux that ranged between 20 and 170 kg/m²s. A good agreement was found between the model and experimental data.     

A transient method to study the pressure drop characteristics of the cyclone in a CFB system

A transient method was developed and applied to study the variation of pressure drop characteristics of the cyclone ^ΔP_c used in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) system with the solid concentration at the inlet C_s,in. Experiments were conducted in a CFB apparatus, with a square riser of 0.1 m × 0.1 m in cross-section and 3.2 m in height, and with a smooth riser exit. When the system was in a steady state with a large C_s,in, the supply of solid material to the riser was suddenly cut-off while the gas velocity was maintained at a constant. C_s,in was derived by the pressure drop measured across the smooth riser exit. ^ΔP_c and C_s,in were measured on-line during the transient process. Experimental results showed that ^ΔP_c and C_s,in obtained by the transient method were in good agreement with those obtained by the steady state experiments. Furthermore, ^ΔP_c decreased at first with increasing C_s,in and then reached at a minimum at the critical C_s,in, thereafter it increased with C_s,in. The transient method offers an acceptable accurate, cost-effective and productive means to study the ^ΔP_c over a wide range of C_s,in.     

Particle residence time distributions in circulating fluidised beds

This paper gives experimental measurements of the particle residence time distribution (RTD) made in the riser of a square cross section, cold model, circulating fluidised bed, using the fast response particle RTD technique developed by Harris et al. (Chem. Eng. J. 89 (2002a) 127). This technique depends upon all particles having phosphorescent properties. A small proportion of the particles become tracers when activated by a flash of light at the riser entry; the concentration of these phosphorescent particles can subsequently be detected by a photomultiplier. The influence of the solids circulation rate and superficial gas velocity on the RTD were investigated. The results presented are novel because (i) the experiments were performed in a system with closed boundaries and hence give the true residence time distribution in the riser and (ii) the measurement of the tracer concentration is exceedingly fast. The majority of previous studies have measured the RTD in risers with open boundaries, giving an erroneous measure of the RTD.Analysis of the results suggests that using pressure measurements in a riser to infer the solids inventory leads to erroneous estimates of the mean residence time. In particular, the results cast doubt on the assumption that friction and acceleration effects can be neglected when inferring the axial solids concentration profile from riser pressure measurements.An assessment of particle RTD models is also given. A stochastic particle RTD model was coupled to a riser hydrodynamic model incorporating the four main hydrodynamic regions observed in a fast-fluidised bed riser namely (i) the entrance region, (ii) a transition region, (iii) a core-annulus region and (iv) an exit region. This model successfully predicts the experimental residence time distributions.     

Hydrodynamics in rectangular air-lift reactors: Scale-up and the scale-up and the influence of gas-liquid separator design

Experiments were conducted on air-lift reactors with different liquid volumes, aspect ratios, and gas-liquid separator configurations, with constant downcomer to riser cross-sectional area ratio and riser/downcomer height. Reactor performance was highly dependent on the gas-liquid separator design. By changing the latter, the mode of operation could be changed from that of a concentric tube reactor (with gas recirculation) to an external loop reactor (without gas recirculation). Liquid velocity and overall gas hold-up data were correlated to the power per liquid volume and “Disengagement Ratio”, a geometric parameter describing the separator's configuration. During scale-up, similar gas hold-ups and liquid velocities were found in laboratory and pilot reactors. A modified air-lift reactor with an enlarged channel for a gas-liquid separator also was studied.     

Rotating fluidized bed with a static geometry: Guidelines for design and operating conditions

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of the hydrodynamic behavior of rotating fluidized beds in static geometry (RFB-SG) are carried out for gas–solid flows. The rotating motion of the reactor bed is induced by the tangential injection of the gas along the circumference of the fluidization chamber. Steep gradients in the gas velocity fields both in radial and tangential direction generate turbulence. The radial and tangential drag forces fluidize the particle bed in both radial and tangential direction.An Eulerian two-fluid model is used. Gas phase turbulence is accounted for by a k–ε model adapted for rotational flows. The RFB-SG simulations provide guidelines for a design and operation with a high efficiency in gas–solid momentum transfer, excellent gas–solid separation and limited solids losses. Hydrodynamic variables like the centrifugal force, the injection pressure, the radial and tangential slip velocities, solids hold-up are calculated for both polymer particles (300 μm, 950 kg/m³, Geldart Group B) and glass beads (70 μm, 2500 kg/m³, Geldart Group A) to allow for a comparison among different fluidization chamber designs. Unstable bed behavior, like slugging and channeling, is also numerically predicted.     

PREDICTION OF SOLIDS CIRCULATION RATE IN THE RISER OF AN INTERNALLY CIRCULATING FLUIDIZED BED (ICFB)

A predictive mathematical model based on pressure drop in the riser of an Internally Circulating Fluidized Bed (ICFB) is developed to predict solids circulation rate (Gs). The values of G_s predicted using the model agree well with the experimental data. The model also predicts well G_s at higher operating temperatures in the riser of an ICFB.     

提升管-下行床耦合反应器内颗粒混合行为

引　言循环流化床中气固两相的流动有两种不同的方式 :提升管中为气固并流上行的逆重力场运动 ,下行床中为气固并流下行的顺重力场运动 .其差异表现为提升管内颗粒浓度、速度以及气体速度在径向上严重的不均匀 ,颗粒浓度概率密度分布以及速度的瞬时信号都表明了颗粒团 -空穴两相结构的存在[1] ,一些研究[2 ,3] 还发现提升管中颗粒的停留时间分布 (ＲＴＤ)曲线存在较大的拖尾甚至出现双峰 ,研究者认为提升管内存在弥散颗粒和颗粒团两种不同的混合机理 ;下行床则比提升管大大改善 ,气固速度、颗粒浓度沿径向分布要均匀得多 ,颗粒的ＲＴＤ曲线…     

Residence time distribution measurements in an external-loop airlift reactor: Study of the hydrodynamics of the liquid circulation induced by the hydrogen bubbles

A detailed study of the residence time distribution (RTD) analysis of liquid phase has been performed in an external-loop airlift reactor of 20 L nominal volume, regarded as a global unit and discriminating its different sections (riser, gas–liquid separator and downcomer) using the tracer response technique. The reactor was used as an electrochemical reactor in order to carry out the electrocoagulation/electroflotation (EC/EF). The gas phase created in the riser is the hydrogen produced by water electrolysis.In order to use this reactor for a continuous EC/EF, hydrodynamic studies were carried out to control the operating conditions and to help modelling the electrocoagulation. Current density, position of the electrodes in the riser and the volumetric liquid flow (inlet flow) are the key parameters for the hydrodynamics.The experimental results revealed that both in the downcomer and the riser–separator zones, the flow model is axial dispersion. Interesting results were obtained:

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  The superficial liquid velocity (ULd) at the downcomer, decreased when the volume inlet flow increased (0<QL<2 L/min).

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  The Peclet number obtained in the downcomer was correlated to the current density and the electrodes position.

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  In the riser–separator zone the Peclet number decreased with the superficial liquid velocity in the riser indicating that the dispersion increased with an increase of turbulence created in the separator by an increase of liquid velocity.

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  The percentage of flow that quits the reactor without reacting increased when the main flow increased and the current intensity decreased. The global RTD can be reconstituted by the signal resulting from the junction and that from riser–separator and downcomer zone by using the convolution technique. The experimental results confirm this reconstitution. The experiments confirm also that the liquid crosses the reactor without achieving loops in the case of the continuous flow.