Dispersion coefficient and settling velocity of the solids in agitated slurry reactors stirred with multiple rushton turbines

The feature of solids distribution in tanks stirred with multiple Rushton turbines was investigated. Both transient and steady-state experiments were performed in tanks of two scales with a variety of suspensions. The data were analysed with the axial sedimentation-dispersion model. The axial dispersion coefficient of the solid phase was found not to differ from that of the liquid by more than 20%. The effective particle settling velocity in the stirred medium was then determined. It is confirmed that this parameter is different from the terminal settling velocity. Their ratio exhibits the same dependence on Kolmogoroff microscale and particle size as obtained previously with an indirect, approximate approach.     

Settling velocities of particles in bubbly gas-liquid mixtures

The axial dispersion-sedimentation model is commonly used to describe the axial concentrations of solids in three phase bubble columns at low liquid velocities. When the two parameters of this model, the particle settling velocity and the solids axial dispersion coefficient, are uncoupled by the use of various assumptions, physically unrealistic values of these parameters often result. Direct experimental measurements of solids settling rates in bubbly gas-liquid mixtures were carried out. The measured mean settling velocities decreased slightly with gas flow rate and were equal to or slightly less than the single particle free settling velocity in the liquid alone. Solids axial dispersion coefficients were also obtained from the solids settling rate distribution data, and gave values considerably less than the experimental liquid axial dispersion coefficient.     

Solids distribution and rising velocity of buoyant solid particles in a vessel stirred with multiple impellers

The distribution of buoyant solid particles in agitated suspensions has been studied. The investigation was carried out in a baffled vessel characterised by an aspect ratio equal to four and stirred with four radial impellers. Dilute suspensions of single-sized spherical particles of expanded polystyrene (density equal to 90.7 kg/m³) in water were used. Solid concentration was measured with a non-intrusive optical technique. Measurements were performed along the axis of the reactor to obtain steady-state vertical profiles (that increase from the vessel base to the top) as well as at fixed elevations to determine their transient after a pulse of solids injected at the bottom.Both the steady-state profiles and the transient concentration curves were interpreted in terms of the axial dispersion model with sedimentation. By data treatment the rising velocity in the agitated system could be determined, which proved to be significantly smaller than the rising velocity in a still liquid. The ratio of these two velocities is in reasonable agreement with a correlation of the ratio of the settling velocities for heavy particles with the ratio of the Kolmogorov microscale to particle diameter established in the past.     

双组分固体颗粒在连续操作的三相床反应器中的轴向浓度分布

在一内径为4.2cm、高为150cm的连续操作的三相床反应器中对双组分固体颗粒的轴向浓度分布进行了实验研究. 实验用的固体混合物物料一组为粒径不同的联二脲颗粒,另一组为润湿性不同的联二脲与发泡剂ADC颗粒的混合物.为描述不同特性的颗粒浓度在床内的轴向分布,提出了修正的沉降分散模型.模型计算值能很好地拟合实验数据.     

MIXING CHARACTERISTICS IN SLURRY STIRRED TANK REACTORS WITH MULTIPLE IMPELLERS

Hydrodynamic parameters such as power consumption, gas holdup, critical impeller speed for solid suspension and mixing time were measured in slurry stirred tank reactors with multiple impellers. The experiments were mainly conducted in a stirred tank of 0.2mi.d. with baffles. It contained two four-pitched blade downflow turbines for gas dispersion and one Pfaudler type impeller for solid suspension. As a part of scaling studies, additional experiments were also carried out in a larger stirred tank reactor (0,8m i.d.) geometrically similar to the smaller one. Glass beads and polymeric particles were used as a solid phase. Solid concentration was in the range of 0-20% (K/K). Tap water and methanol were used as a liquid phase

The power consumption decreased due to an introduction of gas and the presence of solids caused a decrease in the extent of reduction in power consumption. A correlation for power consumption in aerated slurry systems was proposed, It was found that the presence of solids is responsible for a decrease in gas holdup. A new correlation for gas holdup in gas-liquid-solid three-phase stirred tank reactors was developed. It fit the present experimental data reasonably. The critical impeller speed for solid suspensions increased with increasing gas flow rate. However, its increase was rather smaller as compared with the predictions of the correlations available in the literature. We proposed a correlation of the critical impeller speed for solid suspension in the presence of gas. The mixing time complicatedly increased or decreased depending on gas flow rate, impeller speed, solids type and concentration.     

搅拌槽内粘稠物系中气液相间氧传递

以发酵罐中气液相间氧传递为背景，考察了搅拌槽内搅拌器形式、物系流变性质、通气搅拌操作条件等对假塑性粘稠物系中氧传递过程的影响。结果表明，这些因素主要通过改变气体分散状态和相间传质面积来影响氧传递速率。根据气泡在搅拌槽内不均匀分布现象，多层搅拌下气液相间传质过程可以用气泡运动分区分布模型来描述。它说明了采用轴向流桨和涡轮桨组合的搅拌形式在氧传递方面的优越性，为强化发酵罐中供氧指明一条有效途径     

Analysis of dilute solid–liquid suspensions in turbulent stirred tanks

In this work, dilute suspensions of solid particles in stirred tanks are investigated by Particle Image Velocimetry measurements, which were specifically designed to determine the effects of the dispersed phase on mean velocity and turbulence levels of the continuous phase and the local solid–liquid slip velocity. In order to determine the effect of particle size and concentration, glass particles of narrow size distribution were selected; the particle content was increased stepwise up the maximum of 0.2 vol.%. Overall, moderate dampening of liquid turbulent fluctuations was found with the smaller particles, while turbulence enhancement was observed with the bigger ones. Continuous phase turbulence was found to affect the local map of the particle settling velocity, which was also discussed on the basis of a force balance analysis. The reduction of particle settling velocity due to free stream turbulence under specific conditions is confirmed.     

Position and velocity of a large particle in a gas/solid riser using the radioactive particle tracking technique

The flow behavior of the solids phase in the fully developed region of a laboratory-scale circulating fluidized bed riser was studied using an assembly of sixteen NaI detectors to determine the position of a 500 μm radioactive particle, 100 times/s. The particle location was inferred from the number of γ-rays recorded by the assembly. The knowledge of the instantaneous positions enabled the determination of the instantaneous and mean velocity fields. Tests were conducted in a 0.082 m diameter, 7 m tall riser using 150 μm silica sand particles. Data were obtained at a gas superficial velocity of 4 m/s and solids mass fluxes from 23 to 75 kg/m²·s. Radial profiles of axial particle velocity showed that the solids velocity decreased with increasing solids circulation rates. Correspondingly, turbulent particle velocities and solids dispersion coefficient in the longitudinal direction were found to decrease as the solids circulation rate increased. The cross-sectional area where, on average, solids downflow took place, increased with increasing solids circulation rate.     

SOLIDS DISTRIBUTION IN STIRRED SLURRY REACTORS: INFLUENCE OF SOME MIXER CONFIGURATIONS AND LIMITS TO THE APPLICABILITY OF A SIMPLE MODEL FOR PREDICTIONS

The features of solids concentration distribution were investigated in baffled and unbaffled tanks of high aspect ratio, stirred with multiple radial, mixed-flow or axial impellers. In the baffled tanks the average profiles can be predicted with the sedimentation-dispersion model regardless of impeller type - in spite of slight systematic departures from the average trend at the impeller plane and/or midway between the impellers. This is hardly possible for the unbaffled tanks due to lack of physical foundation of this simple model. When the unbaffled tank is stirred with hydrofoil impellers, an inverted profile is even obtained. The mentioned departures and this last anomalous behaviour are qualitatively discussed with reference to particle-turbulence interaction.     

SOLIDS DISTRIBUTION IN STIRRED SLURRY REACTORS: INFLUENCE OF SOME MIXER CONFIGURATIONS AND LIMITS TO THE APPLICABILITY OF A SIMPLE MODEL FOR PREDICTIONS

The features of solids concentration distribution were investigated in baffled and unbaffled tanks of high aspect ratio, stirred with multiple radial, mixed-flow or axial impellers. In the baffled tanks the average profiles can be predicted with the sedimentation-dispersion model regardless of impeller type - in spite of slight systematic departures from the average trend at the impeller plane and/or midway between the impellers. This is hardly possible for the unbaffled tanks due to lack of physical foundation of this simple model. When the unbaffled tank is stirred with hydrofoil impellers, an inverted profile is even obtained. The mentioned departures and this last anomalous behaviour are qualitatively discussed with reference to particle-turbulence interaction.     

GAS DISPERSION AND SOLID SUSPENSION IN A THREE-PHASE STIRRED TANK WITH MULTIPLE IMPELLERS

Despite much research on gas-liquid-solid systems and their widespread application in industry, gas dispersion with solid suspension in multistage stirred reactors equipped with multiple impellers has received little attention. We report here the critical just-suspension impeller speed for different concentrations of solid particles, gas holdup, and shaft power in a vessel of 0.48 m diameter with four baffles and dished base. Five agitator configurations, each with three impellers mounted on a single shaft, have been used in the experiments. Two novel impeller designs were used, a deep hollow blade (semi-ellipse) disc turbine (HEDT) and four-wide-blade hydrofoil impellers. The hydrofoils were used in both up-pumping (WH_U) and down-pumping (WH_D) modes. Glass beads of 50 ∼ 150 μm diameter and density 2500 kg · m^-3 were suspended at solid volumetric concentrations of 1.5, 3, 6, 9, and 15%. Results show that these suspended solids have little effect on the relative power demand. Agitators using the HEDT radial dispersing impeller at the bottom have a higher relative power demand (RPD = P_G/P_U) than those with WH_D or WH_U as the lowest one. For all impeller combinations there is little or no effect on gas holdup with increasing solid concentrations. Of the five different impeller combinations, those with an axial flow bottom impeller have significantly higher just-suspension agitation speeds and power consumption, so mounting the hydrofoil impeller at the bottom is not the optimal configuration for particle suspension. Of these impeller combinations, at a given gas flow rate the arrangement of HEDT + 2WH_U has the highest relative power demand, gas holdup, and power input for both the suspension of settling particles and gas dispersion.     

Axial dispersion characteristics of three (liquid-liquid-solid) phase fluidized beds

The effects of the continuous and dispersed phase velocity and particle size on the axial dispersion of the continuous phase have been determined in two (liquid-liquid) and three (liquid-liquid-solid) phase fluidized beds. In a cocurrent liquid-liquid flow system, the axial dispersion coefficient increases with both the dispersed and continuous phase velocities. In three phase fluidized beds, the coefficient increases with dispersed phase velocity but it decreases with the particle size. Also the coefficient exhibits a maximum value with an increase in the continuous phase velocity at the lower dispersed phase velocities, but it increases with the continuous phase velocity at higher dispersed phase velocities. The axial dispersion coefficients in terms of Peclet number have been correlated in terms of the ratio of fluid velocities and the ratio of the particle size to column diameter, based on the isotropic turbulence theory.     

Electrical conductivity measurements and the nonhomogeneous settling behavior of aqueous suspensions of barite

Using electrical conductivity measurements to monitor the local concentration of solids indirectly in settling tests is a practice already explored in the literature. However, since suspended particles may comprise a mixture of solids, a new suspension preparation methodology and calibration procedure were proposed to eliminate the influence of soluble materials on conductivity measurements. This article investigates water-barite suspensions of 10%, 15%, and 20% v/v in solids. Their settling dynamics resulted in particle Reynolds numbers and Peclet numbers always smaller than 0.0012 and larger than 2100, respectively. Particle agglomeration, multiple boundaries (layers of different maximum local concentrations), channeling (formation of flow paths or channels), and particulate stratification were some phenomena inferred from the results. Hence, this article illustrates that settling behaviors typically seen in solid–liquid mixtures of non-Newtonian continuous phase can also occur in aqueous suspensions, indicating there are still considerable challenges to understanding the process of gravitational settling.     

GAS DISPERSION AND SOLID SUSPENSION IN A THREE-PHASE STIRRED TANK WITH MULTIPLE IMPELLERS

Despite much research on gas-liquid-solid systems and their widespread application in industry, gas dispersion with solid suspension in multistage stirred reactors equipped with multiple impellers has received little attention. We report here the critical just-suspension impeller speed for different concentrations of solid particles, gas holdup, and shaft power in a vessel of 0.48 m diameter with four baffles and dished base. Five agitator configurations, each with three impellers mounted on a single shaft, have been used in the experiments. Two novel impeller designs were used, a deep hollow blade (semi-ellipse) disc turbine (HEDT) and four-wide-blade hydrofoil impellers. The hydrofoils were used in both up-pumping (WH_U) and down-pumping (WH_D) modes. Glass beads of 50 ～ 150 μm diameter and density 2500 kg · m^?3 were suspended at solid volumetric concentrations of 1.5, 3, 6, 9, and 15%. Results show that these suspended solids have little effect on the relative power demand. Agitators using the HEDT radial dispersing impeller at the bottom have a higher relative power demand (RPD = P_G/P_U) than those with WH_D or WH_U as the lowest one. For all impeller combinations there is little or no effect on gas holdup with increasing solid concentrations. Of the five different impeller combinations, those with an axial flow bottom impeller have significantly higher just-suspension agitation speeds and power consumption, so mounting the hydrofoil impeller at the bottom is not the optimal configuration for particle suspension. Of these impeller combinations, at a given gas flow rate the arrangement of HEDT + 2WH_U has the highest relative power demand, gas holdup, and power input for both the suspension of settling particles and gas dispersion.     

Suspension of solid particles in multi‐impeller three‐phase stirred tank reactors

Solids suspension characteristics in gas—liquid–solid three‐phase stirred tanks with multi‐impellers were experimentally examined. Minimum impeller speeds for ultimately homogeneous solid suspension have been measured stirred tank reactors. Three impellers were installed: two four‐pitched blade downflow disk turbines and one Pfaudler type impeller chosen to provide good gas dispersion and to accomplish off‐bottom suspension of solid particles, respectively. Gas dispersion causes an increase in particle sedimentation associated with a decrease in power consumption and as a result, minimum impeller speeds for ultimately homogeneous solid suspension increase with increasing gas flow rates. A correlation was developed to predict minimum impeller speeds for ultimately homogeneous solid suspension. The proposed correlation, which agrees satisfactorily with the experimental results, is expected to be useful in design and scale‐up.     

Phase holdup and liquid dispersion in gas-liquid-solid circulating fluidized beds

Axial and radial profiles of gas and solids holdups have been studied in agas-liquid-solid circulating fluidized bed at 140mm i.d..Experimental results indicate that the axialand radial profiles of gas and solids holdups are more uniform than those in a conventionalfluidized bed.Axial and radial liquid dispersion coefficients in the gas-liquid-solid circulating fluidizedbed are investigated for the first time.It is found that axial and radial liquid dispersioncoefficients increases with increaes in gas velocity and solids holdup.The liquid velocity has littleinfluence on the axial liquid dispersion coefficient,but would adversely affect the redial liquiddispersion coefficient.It can be concluded that the gas-liquid-solid circulating fluidized bed hasadvantages such as better interphase contact and lower liquid dispersion along the axial directionover the expanded bed.     

气液固三相提升管中液相扩散特性

对气液固三相提升管内液相扩散行为进行了实验研究,考察了气速、液速以及颗粒循环量等操作因素对液相扩散系数的影响规律.实验研究结果表明,轴向、径向扩散系数随气速的增大均增大;轴向扩散系数随液速的变化基本保持不变,径向扩散系数随液速的增大而减小;轴向、径向扩散系数随颗粒循环量的增大均增大.与传统的气液固三相流化床相比,气液固三相提升管反应器更接近理想的平推流反应器.     

Effect of impeller type and scale-up on spatial distribution of shear rate in a stirred tank

The main spatial distribution features of shear rate in a stirred tank operated with five different radial and axial flow impellers were presented with particle image velocimetry (PIV) experiments. Not only the average shear rate in the whole tank but also the local value in the vicinity of impeller increases linearly with impeller speed. Furthermore, the shear coefficient (K_s,imp) at the impeller outlet is linearly related to the impeller flow number (N_q) and decreases with the increase of N_q in general at the constant power consumption per unit volume (P_v). During scale-up based on the constant P_v and geometric similarity, CFD results show that the volume-averaged shear rate (γ_avg) for RDT decreases faster than that of other impellers with the impeller tip velocity (U_tip). The novel multi-blade combined (MBC) impeller with the increased height-to-diameter ratio of the stirred tank is able to more effectively improve the distribution uniformity of shear rate at the same P_v after scale-up. These studies provide a data basis for selecting the impeller types and improving the shear rate environment in the large-scale stirred tank.     

受限气固两相射流的实验研究和数值模拟

采用PV4A颗粒测速仪测量受限气固两相射流流场中固体颗粒的速度和浓度并运用CFD软件对颗粒相进行数值模拟,模拟和实验结果基本吻合。结果表明,颗粒轴线速度衰减存在一个峰值而轴线相对浓度在起始段急剧衰减然后趋于平缓;颗粒因为湍流扩散在炉壁上有富集现象,并且相对于小粒径颗粒,大颗粒在壁面富集现象更明显。实验结果对粉煤气流床气化炉的工业应用有重要的参考意义。