A study of heat transfer in a circulating fluidized bed

An experimental investigation was carried out to study the effects of operating parameters on the local bed-to-wall heat transfer coefficient in a 4.5 m tall, 0.150 m diameter circulating fluidized bed with a bed temperature in the range of 65°C to 80°C, riser flow rate varying from 1400 litres/min to 2000 litres/min, bed inventory in the range of 15 kg to 25 kg of sand, and average sand sizes of 200 μm, 400 μm and 500 μm. A heat flux probe was attached to the riser wall at five different vertical locations for measuring the heat flux from the bed to the wall surface. From the present work, the heat transfer coefficient in the dilute phase was found to be in the range of 62 to 83 W/m²K, 51 to 74 W/m²K, and 50 to 59 W/m² K for sand sizes of 200 μm, 400 μm and 500 μm, respectively. Relevant mathematical correlations were developed to predict local heat transfer coefficient based on the results of the practical work.     

Axial and radial heat transfer studies in a circulating fluidized bed

The axial and radial variation of the heat transfer coefficient in a circulating fluidized bed riser column, and the effect of operating parameters thereon, are investigated. The experimental set-up consists of a riser column of 102 mm×102 mm in bed cross-section, 5·25 m in height with a return leg of the same dimensions. The unit is fabricated with plexiglass columns of 0·6 m in length which are interchangeable with one another. Two axial heat transfer test sections of 102 mm×102 mm in cross-section, 500 mm in height, and made of mild steel, are employed for the axial heat transfer study and one horizontal tube section of 22·5 mm OD made of mild steel is employed for the radial heat transfer study. The primary air velocity is varied between 4·21 and 7·30 m s⁻¹. Local sand of mean size (d_p) 248 μm is used as the bed material. One empirical model with the help of dimensional analysis has been proposed to predict the heat transfer coefficient to a bare horizontal tube in a CFB riser column and the model results are validated with the experimental data; good agreement has been observed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of operating parameters on bed-to-wall heat transfer in a high temperature circulating fluidized bed

An experimental investigation was made to study the effect of some operating parameters on the bed-to-wall heat transfer in a 5.25 m-tall circulating fluidized bed having a 102 mm-square cross-section with a bed temperature varying from 350 to 1173 K, a superficial velocity from 4 to 8 m/s, and a bed inventory from 15 to 40 kg of sand with a mean particle diameter of 309 μm. Two heat flux probes were used at two different locations in the furnace for measuring the heat transfer coefficient. The experimental results were compared with those of other investigators and also with the data predicted from a proposed theoretical model.     

Flow boiling heat transfer in circulating fluidized bed

In order to enhance heat transfer and mitigate contamination in the boiling processes, a new type of vapor-liquid-solid (3-phase) circulating fluidized bed boiling system has been designed, combining a circulating fluidized bed with boiling heat transfer. Experimental results show an enhancement of the boiling curve. Flow visualization studies concerning flow hydrodynamics within the riser column are also conducted whose results are presented and discussed.     

Method of calculation of heat transfer coefficient of the heater in a circulating fluidized bed furnace

Knowledge of heat transfer coefficients is important in the design and operation of CFB boilers. It is the key to determining the area and the layout of the heat transfer surfaces in a CFB furnace. Local bulk density has a close relationship to the local heat transfer coefficient. Using a heat flux probe and bulk density sampling probe, the local bed to wall heat transfer coefficient in the furnace of a 75 t/h CFB boiler was measured. According to the experimental results and theoretical analysis of the facts that influence the heat transfer, the heat transfer coefficient calculation method for the CFB furnace was developed. The heat transfer surface configuration, heating condition, and the material density are considered in this method. The calculation method has been used in the design of CFB boilers with a capacity from 130 t/h to 420 t/h. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 31(7): 540–550, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/htj.10056     

Flow boiling heat transfer in circulating fluidized bed

In order to enhance heat transfer and mitigate contamination in the boiling processes, a new type of vapor-liquid-solid (3-phase) circulating fluidized bed boiling system has been designed, combining a circulating fluidized bed with boiling heat transfer. Experimental results show an enhancement of the boiling curve. Flow visualization studies concerning flow hydrodynamics within the riser column are also conducted whose results are presented and discussed.     

An experimental study of the effect of pin fins on heat transfer in circulating fluidized beds

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the effect of pin fins on heat transfer in circulating fluidized beds. Experiments were conducted in a 100 mm i.d., 5.15 m tall CFB unit, initially with no fins and then with 16-pin and 32-pin fins. Each pin was 6.35 mm in diameter and 15 mm long. It was observed that, although the heat transfer coefficient decreases with the use of fins, the total heat transfer increases owing to the increase in surface area which the fins provide. The results of heat transfer for unfinned surface were compared with those of other workers and found to be in good agreement.     

Effect of probe size on heat transfer at the wall in circulating fluidized beds

An experimental investigation was made to study the effect of vertical probe height on heat transfer at the wall in circulating fluidized beds. Experiments were conducted in a 100 mm internal diameter, 5.15 m tall circulating fluidized bed. Four probes having 85, 127.5, 170 and 255 mm heights were tested. Heat transfer measurements covered a range of superficial velocity from 7.2 to 12.5 m/s and a range of suspension density from 25 to 68 kg/m³. The results were compared with those of other investigators. An empirical correlation incorporating the dimensionless probe height and the particle Nusselt number and Reynolds number has been suggested.     

Heat transfer in a large-scale circulating fluidized bed boiler

Heat transfer of a furnace in a large-scale circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler was studied based on the analysis of available heat transfer coefficient data from typical industrial CFB boilers and measured data from a 12 MW_e, a 50 MW_e and a 135 MW_e CFB boiler. The heat transfer of heat exchanger surfaces in a furnace, in a steam/water cooled cyclone, in an external heat exchanger and in the backpass was also reviewed. Empirical correlation of heat transfer coefficient was suggested after calculating the two key parameters, solids suspension density and furnace temperature. The correlation approach agrees well with the data from the large-scale CFB boilers. __________ Translated from Journal of Power Engineering, 2006, 26(3): 305–310 (in Chinese) [译自: 动力工程]     

A study on heat transfer for immersed tube in internally circulating fluidized bed

INTRODUCTIONThemethodhowtodealwiththedomesticandindustrialwasteswithoutfurthercontaminationisoneofthemostimportantenvironmentalissues.Fluidizedbedcombustor(FBC)hasadvantagesofhighcombustionefficiency)lowpollution,convenienceinpreprocessingbeforefedin...     

3D modelling of radiative heat transfer in circulating fluidized bed combustors: influence of the particulate composition

A three-dimensional model is developed to predict the bed-to-wall radiative heat transfer coefficient in the upper dilute zone of circulating fluidized bed (CFB) combustors. The radiative transfer equation is solved by the discrete ordinates method and Mie scattering theory is applied to calculate the absorption and scattering efficiency factors of particles existing in CFB combustors. Empirical correlations calculate both spacial variation of solid volume fraction and temperature distribution at the wall. The model considers the influences of the particle properties (including particle size distribution, particle optical constants and solid composition) on the radiative heat transfer coefficient. Simulation results show that the particle properties have significant influences on the bed-to-wall radiative heat transfer coefficient in CFB combustors. A very good agreement of predicted results is shown with experimental data.     

Prediction of the heat flux profile on the furnace wall of circulating fluidized bed boilers

The purpose of this work is to investigate and develop a correlation for predicting the profile of heat flux on the crest of the membrane water wall tube along the height of circulating fluidized bed furnaces. The heat conduction equation for the tube was solved numerically under various operating conditions and furnace sizes. It was found that the temperature and heat flux profiles decreased rapidly in the region above the secondary air ports and then were found to be nearly constant. In addition, the heat flux increased as the Froude number increased or as the bed particle to the furnace diameter ratio decreased. The results were used to develop a correlation for predicting the heat flux profiles of the boilers having capacities from 12 MW_th to 165 MW_th in terms of dimensionless temperature, the Froude number, the diameter ratio and the height from the ports to the total height ratio.     

Heat transfer characteristics in a small-scale fluidized bed boiler

Heat transfer characteristics in a small-scale fluidized bed boiler (2MW_th) were studied using lignite and corn cob as fuels. Depending on air velocity, the heat transfer rates from bed to water membrane wall and from hot flue gas to convective tube bank were in the ranges 75–55% and 25–45% of the total heat absorbed by the boiler, respectively. At designed capacity, the heat transfer flux based on bed cross sectional area and on water membrane wall area were about 0·45 and 0·15 MWm⁻², respectively. Under the conditions studied, it was found that the overall heat transfer coefficient between bed and water membrane wall was 100–300 W m⁻² K⁻¹, whereas that between flue gas and convective tube bank was 10–30 Wm⁻² K⁻¹. The study of heat transfer to a horizontal tube immersed in the bed as well as placed in the freeboard region were also studied. The effective heat transfer coefficients were found to be 300–800 W m⁻² K⁻¹ for in-bed tube and 30–150 W m⁻² K⁻¹ for the freeboard region, depending on air velocity. Comparison of these data with those predicted by both modelling and correlation reported in the literature was also made. For the immersed tube, good agreement was observed for low air velocity, while at high air velocity the experiment produced results twice those estimated from modelling and correlation. For the freeboard region, the model gave a fair prediction.     

An experimental and theoretical investigation into the heat transfer of a finned water wall tube in a circulating fluidized bed boiler

Heat transfer improvement in a water wall tube with fins was investigated in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler. Experiments were first conducted in a 6 MWth CFB boiler then a model was developed to analyse and interpolate the results. Temperatures at some discrete points within the wall cross‐section of the tube were measured by burying 0.8 mm thermocouples within a tube. Experimental data showed an increase in heat absorption up to 45 per cent. A good agreement between measured and predicted values was noted. The distribution of temperature in the metal wall and of heat flux around the outer wall of a tube with longitudinal and lateral fins was analysed by numerical solution of a two‐dimensional heat conduction equation. Effects of bed‐to‐wall heat transfer coefficient, water‐to‐tube inside heat transfer coefficient, bed temperature, water temperature and thermal conductivity of the tube material on the heat flux around the water tube are discussed. The present work also examines the influence of the length of the longitudinal fin and the water tube thickness. Heat flux was highest at the tip of the longitudinal fin. It dropped, but increased again near the root of the lateral fin. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of pressure and temperature on cluster and particle heat transfer in a pressurized circulating fluidized bed

The present work reports the influence of pressure and bed temperature on particle‐to‐wall heat transfer in a pressurized circulating fluidized bed (PCFB). The particle convection heat transfer plays a dominant role in determining the bed‐to‐wall heat transfer coefficient. So far, no information is reported on the effect of pressure and bed temperature on particle‐to‐wall heat transfer in a PCFB in the published literature. The present investigation reports some information in this direction. The effect of system pressure and bed temperature are investigated to study their influence on cluster and particle heat transfer. The particle convection heat transfer coefficient increases with system pressure and bed temperature due to higher cluster thermal conductivity. The increase in particle concentration (suspension density) results in greater cluster solid fraction and also the particle concentration near the wall is enhanced. This results in higher cluster and particle convection heat transfer between the bed and the wall. Higher particle convection heat transfer coefficient results in enhanced heat transfer between the bed and the wall. The results will also help to understand the bed‐to‐wall heat transfer mechanism in a better way in a PCFB. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CFD modeling of hydrodynamic and heat transfer in fluidized bed reactors

In this study, a gas–solid fluidized bed reactor has been simulated applying CFD techniques in order to investigate hydrodynamic and heat transfer phenomena. Reactor model predictions were compared with corresponding experimental data reported in the literature to validate the model. The results indicate that considering two solid phases, particles with smaller diameters have lower volume fraction at the bottom of the bed and higher volume fraction at the top of the bed. In addition, it was revealed that bed expansion was larger when a bimodal particle mixture was applied compared with the case of mono-dispersed particles. Gas and solid phase temperature distributions in the reactor were also computed, considering the hydrodynamic of the fluidized bed and the heat generated by the solid particles. The results showed that gas temperature increases as it moves upward in the reactor due to the heat of polymerization reaction leading to the higher temperatures at the top of the bed.     

Heat transfer characteristics in a pulsating fluidized bed in relation to bubble characteristics

A pulsating fluidized bed is operated with two sequential durations designated as an on‐period with injecting fluidization gas and an off‐period without it. The heat transfer coefficient between a vertically immersed heater and bed in a pulsating fluidized bed is measured under various pulse cycles and fluidized particles. The obtained results are compared with those in a normal fluidized bed with continuous fluidization air injection. The relationship between heat transfer coefficients and bubble characteristics, evaluated using a digital video camera, has also been investigated. For certain fluidized particles and operating pulse cycles, the fluidization of particles and the increment of heat transfer coefficients can be obtained under a mean air velocity based on a pulse cycle duration smaller than the minimum fluidization air velocity in a normal fluidized bed. Under the pulse cycles where a static bed through the whole bed is formed in the off‐period duration, the improved heat transfer rate over that in a normal fluidized bed can be measured. This may be attributed to large bubble formation. As heat transfer in the pulsating fluidized bed is obstructed with increasing time to keep a static bed due to the excessive off‐period duration, it is indicated that there is an optimum off‐period duration based on the heat transfer rate. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 31(4): 307–319, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/htj.10038     

Local instantaneous temperature and time‐averaged heat transfer coefficient in the bottom zone of a circulating fluidized bed

Local instantaneous temperature signal and time‐averaged heat transfer coefficient were measured using a miniature heat transfer probe. The experiments were carried out in the bottom zone of a 5.8m high, 0.3m×0.5m rectangular cross‐section circulating fluidized bed. The results show that the heat transfer coefficient was higher near the walls, and became lower near the central region, and that the heat transfer coefficient decreases with increment of the air velocity due to the associated reduction of solids holdup in the bottom zone. In addition, the power spectrum density functions of the local instantaneous temperature signal can be characterized by the 1/f‐like distribution. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal aspects of a circulating fluidized bed with air staging

In this study, effects of air staging on wall‐to‐bed heat transfer were investigated in a laboratory scale circulating fluidized bed (0.23 m ID, 7.6 m high). The bed was operated under ambient conditions with silica sand particles (d_p=89 µm, ρ_p=2650 kg m^?3). Two different designs of secondary air (SA) injectors were used for air staging: radial and tangential. Bed‐to‐wall heat transfer measurements were carried out at three elevations above the SA injection port. The results indicate that similar to non‐SA operation, the heat transfer with air staging depends strongly on the cross‐sectional average suspension density. Tangential secondary injection was found to increase the bed‐to‐wall heat transfer above the SA injection port significantly due to increased suspension density compared with non‐SA operation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Heat transfer to a horizontal tube bundle located in the freeboard of a bubbling fluidized bed combustor

The characteristics of heat transfer from bubbling gas-fired fluidized bed to a horizontal staggered water-tube bundle located in the freeboard region is experimentally investigated. The purpose is to demonstrate the effect of bed temperature on the coefficients of heat transfer by the different modes to each of the four rows of the bundle, which experiences heat transfer by convection from flue gases, luminous radiation from bed material and non-luminous radiation from gases. The bed temperature itself is varied and controlled through the fuel–air mass ratio. Sixteen runs have been conducted with bed temperature ranging from 1114 to 1429 K, resulting in an overall heat transfer coefficient in the range 74·0–105·0 W m⁻² K⁻¹ for the first row and 58·0–65·0 W m⁻² K⁻¹ for the last. An overall convective heat transfer coefficient from gases, and possible carried over sand particles, to the bundle is formulated. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.