Fluid mechanics of circulating fluidized beds

A fluid mechanical model of segregated vertical gas-solids flow has been developed. Mass and force balances were set up with the aid of this model and, finally, a dimensionless state and pressure drop diagram was calculated. In this diagram, the pressure gradient caused by the solids transport is plotted in dimensionaless form versus the superficial gas velocity in the form of a particle Froude number. Parameter is the ratio of the solids volumetric flow rate at minimum fluidization to the gas volumetric flow rate. The state and pressure drop diagram is valid for a given gas-solids system, i.e. for a given Archimedes number and given minimum fluidization porosity. The fluid mechanical behaviour of different types of circulating fluidized beds can be explained with the aid of the state and pressure drop diagram for segregated vertical gas-solids flow. As an example, the operating behaviour of circulating fluidized bed with a syphon in the solids downcomer is discussed. Measurements of the circulating solids mass flow rates are compared with calculation results.     

Influence of ring-type internals on axial pressure distribution in circulating fluidized bed

In order to improve non-uniform radial and axial flow structure of a circulating fluidized bed, the influence of ring-type internals on the axial pressure distribution and gas—solids flow structure in a riser of 7.6 cm in diameter and 3 m in height was investigated experimentally. Four different opening areas, 70%, 80%, 90% and 95%, were used and the superficial gas velocity and solids circulation rate were in the ranges of 5 to 10 m/s and 20 to 233 kg/m²·s, respectively. With the presence of internals, the axial pressure gradient distribution shows the formation of a zigzag type profile instead of the regular exponential or S-shape profile and the bottom acceleration region is shortened. The opening ratio of the rings plays an important role in affecting the flow structure. The optimal opening ratio is tightly related to the operating conditions. In the circulation fluidized bed used in this study, 90% open area was found to be most suitable for obtaining a more uniform gas—solids flow structure.     

Comprehensive Study on the Solids Acceleration Length in a Long CFB Riser

Systematic experimental work was conducted to investigate the solids acceleration length in a 0.10 m i. d., 16 m long circulating fluidized bed (CFB) riser with fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) particles over a wide range of operating conditions. A more feasible method is proposed to determine the acceleration length from the measured axial profiles of pressure gradient (or apparent solids holdup). With this new method and large amounts of experimental results, a clear picture of the variation of the acceleration length with both solids circulating rate and superficial gas velocity is obtained. It is found that the acceleration length increases generally with increasing solids flow rate and/or decreasing gas velocity. However, the particular variation patterns of the acceleration length with operating conditions are quite different in different operation ranges. Especially under the conditions near or at the accumulative choking, the acceleration length extends rapidly with increasing solids flow rate and/or decreasing gas velocity, and sometimes takes up the whole riser height. Reasonable explanations are provided for the observed variation patterns of the acceleration length.     

Hydrodynamics and Flow Development in a 15.1 m Circulating Fluidized Bed Riser

Hydrodynamics and flow development are studied in a long riser circulating fluidized bed reactor (15.1 m). Optic fiber probes were used for the measurement of local solids distribution. Pressure drops were also measured with pressure transducers along the riser. The flow development in the riser center is almost instant with solids holdup remaining constant and low, and particle velocity remaining high along the riser. The particle flow is firstly developed from center, and then towards the wall. The riser height is an important factor for the design of circulating fluidized bed reactors. Increasing the solid circulating rate significantly slows down the flow development process, while increases in the superficial gas velocity accelerate it.     

16m高气固提升管中的压力梯度与流动行为研究

在较宽操作条件范围对16m高提升管中气－固两相流（空气－FCC颗粒）的压力梯度进行了实验测试,进一步揭示了快速流态化和密相气力输送这两种流动形态的动力学特征及其与操作参数的关系。结果表明,在表观气速增大的过程中气固提升管中的轴向压力梯度并非总是不断趋于均匀分布;提升管高度对快速流态化到密相气力输送状态的过渡有重要影响,对于给定的表观气速,提升管高度增加将使过渡点所应的颗粒循环量和床层颗粒浓度都减小。本实验条件下所有过滤点对应的床层颗粒浓度较为一致,平均为0．0104,并由此得到过渡点操作参数Ug与Gs的关联式。本文研究表明,在以往工作基础上进一步研究提升管高度对流动行为的影响极有必要。     

气-固并流下行快速流态化的研究(I)

研究气-固并流顺重力场运动中气-固两相之间的相互作用,并依此将气-固运动过程分为第Ⅰ、Ⅱ加速段及恒速段.在直径为φ140mm,高为5.8m的下行快床中,测定了不同操作条件下(μ_g=1.3-10m/s,G_a=30-180kg/m~2·s)床层压力梯度轴向分布及第Ⅰ加速段长度的变化规律,同时考察了颗粒特性对上述过程的影响.     

三相循环流化床中的气液相界面积和传质系数

采用溶氧法测量了三相循环流化床中液相溶氧浓度的轴向分布,并按轴向扩散模型处理实验数据,优化得到气液体积传质系数kLa,同时用光纤探头测量了体系中的气含率和气泡大小分布,计算得到了气液相界面积a和气液传质系数kL,并研究了主要操作条件(表观气速、表观液速和固含率)对气液传质系数的影响规律.     

气液固三相循环流化床气液传质行为

<正>气液固三相流化床反应器在石油化工、湿法冶金、环境工程和煤的液化等工业领域得到了广泛应用,其基础研究也取得了很大进展.但是,传统三相床主要应用于低液速(U_L<     

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.     

加长循环流化床提升管中加速段长度的实验研究

Systematic experimental work was conducted to investigate the solid acceleration length in a 16 m long circulating fluidized bed riser with fluid cracking catalyst particles over a wide range of operating conditions. A more feasible method is proposed to determine the acceleration length from the measured axial profiles of pressure gradient (or apparent solid holdup). With this new method and large amount of experimental data, a clear picture on the variation of the acceleration length with both solid circulating rate and superficial gas velocity is obtained.It is found that the acceleration length increases generally with increasing solid flow rate and/or decreasing gasvelocity. However, the trend in variation of the acceleration length with operating conditions are quite different in different operation ranges. Reasonable explanations are suggested for the observed variation patterns of acceleration length.     

Solids Holdup of High Flux Circulating Fluidized Bed at Elevated Pressure

Experimental studies on the solids holdup of a high‐flux circulating fluidized bed (HFCFB) at an operating pressure up to 0.5 MPa were carried out. The effects of operating pressure, solids mass flux and superficial gas velocity on the solids holdup distribution were systematically tested. It was found that the solids holdup at elevated pressure increases with increasing solids mass flux but decreases with increasing superficial gas velocity, which is similar to the trends at atmospheric condition. As a result, the condition of a high‐density circulating fluidized bed (HDCFB), i.e., solids holdup in everywhere of the riser is larger than 10 %) is easier to be achieved at elevated pressure than in a HDCFB operated at atmospheric pressure. In the current work, the condition of a full HDCFB with Geldart group B particles has been achieved successfully at 0.5 MPa.     

流化床-提升管耦合反应器内固含率的轴向分布及流动发展

在耦合流化床反应器大型冷模实验装置上,考察了不同表观气速下FCC颗粒在耦合流化床内截面平均密度的轴向分布. 结果表明,反应器轴向固含率可分为底部流化床区域和上部提升管区域. 前者的密相区平均固含率随表观气速增大而减小;后者的平均固含率随表观气速Ug增大而增大,Ug<0.58 m/s时固含率分布均匀,Ug=0.70~1.04 m/s时提升管出口出现约束返混区(>8.62 m),Ug>1.16 m/s时提升管底部出现密度重整区(3.82~4.57 m)、加速平稳区(4.57~8.62 m)和出口返混区(>8.62 m). 确定了耦合反应器内提升管区域截面平均固含率的影响参数,并利用实验数据回归了平均固含率的轴向分布经验模型,计算值与实验值吻合较好.     

A Practical Method to Estimate the Bed Height of a Fluidized Bed of Fine Particles

Knowledge of both dense bed expansion and freeboard solids inventory are required for the determination of bed height in fluidized beds of fine particles, e.g., Fluidized Catalytic Cracking (FCC) catalysts. A more accurate estimation of the solids inventory in the freeboard is achieved based on a modified model for the freeboard particle concentration profile. Using the experimentally determined dense bed expansion and the modified freeboard model, a more practical method with improved accuracy is provided to determine the bed height both in laboratory and industrial fluidized beds of FCC particles. The bed height in a fluidized bed can exhibit different trends as the superficial gas velocity increases, depending on the different characteristics of the dense bed expansion and solids entrainment in the freeboard. The factors that influence the bed height are discussed, showing the complexity of bed height and demonstrating that it is not realistic to determine the bed height by a generalized model that can accurately predict the dense bed expansion and freeboard solids inventory simultaneously. Moreover, a method to determine the bed height, based on axial pressure fluctuation profiles, is proposed in this study for laboratory fluidized beds, which provides improved accuracy compared to observation alone or determining the turning points in the axial pressure profiles, especially in high‐velocity fluidized beds.     

Local solid mixing in gas–solid fluidized beds

Diffusivity of the solid particles in a 152-mm ID gas–solid fluidized bed was determined at different regimes of fluidization. The gas was air at room temperature and atmospheric pressure and the solids were 385 μm sand or 70 μm FCC particles. The experiments were done at superficial gas velocities from 0.5 to 2.8 m/s for sand and 0.44 to 0.9 m/s for FCC (in both bubbling and turbulent regimes). Movement of a tracer was monitored by radioactive particle tracking (RPT) technique. Once the time-position data became available, local axial and radial diffusivity of solids were calculated from these data. Calculated diffusivities are in the range of 3.3×10⁻³ to 5.6×10⁻² m²/s for axial and 2.6×10⁻⁴ to 1.5×10⁻³ m²/s for radial direction. The results show that the diffusivities, both axial and radial, increase with superficial gas velocity and are linearly correlated to the axial solid velocity gradient. Solid diffusivity in a bed of FCC was found to be higher than that of a bed of sand at the same excess superficial gas velocity.     

Macroscopic properties of liquid-solid circulating fluidized bed with viscous liquid medium

Experiments were conducted in a liquid-solid circulating fluidized bed to study the effect of liquid viscosity and solids inventory on pressure gradient, critical transitional liquid velocity, onset average solids holdup, axial solids holdup distribution, average solids holdup and solids circulation rate in circulating fluidization regime with riser operated in fixed inventory mode. The results indicate that critical transitional liquid velocity decreases with increase in liquid viscosity. The onset average solids holdup, on the other hand, increases with increase in either auxiliary liquid velocity or solids inventory. The variation of axial solids holdup distribution, average solids holdup and solids circulation rate with liquid viscosity when solid inventory was 0.15 m was dissimilar with either 0.25 m or 0.35 m solid inventory. Correlations were proposed for estimating the average solids holdup and are satisfactorily compared with experimental values.     

Axial voidage profile in a cold model circulating fluidized bed

The axial voidage profile was measured in a cold model circulating fluidized bed (0.38 m in diameter and 9.1 m in height) of sand particles as bed materials. Voidage in the riser column increases along the height above the distributor plate with increasing the gas velocity. However, it decreases with an increase in solid circulation rate in the bed. Model correlations to predict the solid circulation rale and the axial voidage profile in the bed are proposed.     

A study of the pressure balance around the loop of a circulating fluidized bed

Pressure measurements around the loop of a circulating fluidized bed with 152 mm ID riser and L-valve fecuer were analysed to determine the effect of operating parameters (superficial gas velocity in the range 2.2 - 4.0 m/s, solids circulation flux in the range 5 - 50 kg/m² · s and solids inventory, in the range 80 - 180 kg) on the components of the pressure balance. The riser pressure drop, and hence, riser solids holdup were not affected by changes in the inventory of solids in the system, provided riser superficial gas velocity and solid circulation flux were held constant. The mean suspension concentration in the riser was found to be directly proportional to the ratio of solids flux to superficial gas velocity (G / U) in the riser.     

垂直稀相气力输送压降特征实验

对Geldart–D类颗粒在高度为18 m、内径为0.05 m的垂直管道中的稀相气力输送特征进行了实验,结果表明：Klinzing, Mathur, Yang和 Caric等提出的预测关联式可以准确预测fs值,135°上弯头、135°下弯头和45°斜管的压力梯度与垂直管道中的压力梯度之比分别为1.6, 2.0和4.0.     

含内构件的循环流化床的动态压力特性

针对含内构件的循环流化床,以石英砂为物料,使用动态压力传感器测量了含内构件的流化床中气固两相流的动态压力,分析了床内的瞬时压力特性. 结果表明,在进出口总压降中,文丘里压降最大,占主床压降的60%以上. 表观气速和固体颗粒循环流率共同影响循环流化床内的压力特性. 压力瞬时波动功率谱分析表明,压力波动对应一个主频,表观气速越小、颗粒循环流率越大时,压力波动越大,且循环流化床底部压力波动比上部大. 加入内构件能有效引导气流,使流动更均匀.     

基于连续方法的气固循环流化床全回路模拟及稳定性分析

相比对单个操作单元的模拟，气固循环流化床的全回路模拟能全面揭示各单元之间的联系、诊断操作突变等现象，对实际工业生产更具指导意义。本研究在连续介质模型结合颗粒动理论的框架下，对一套虚拟过程工程(VPE)的气固循环流化床装置进行了全回路模拟和稳定性分析。模拟发现了提升管中的颗粒浓度及压降发生大幅度的周期性震荡现象，两种完全不同的操作状态，即稀相输送和浓相输送，交替式地出现。为分析该现象产生的原因，考察了模型因素(主要是气固相间曳力)和操作因素(颗粒藏料量和提升管表观气速)对周期性震荡现象的影响。研究发现，将考虑非均匀结构影响的曳力替换成均匀曳力，仍不能消除周期震荡现象，其颗粒输送返回装置(Loop-seal)压头不足以保证颗粒从下降管平稳输送到提升管，而降低气速和增大藏料量都有利于颗粒循环输送的稳定性，防止“窜气”现象的发生。结合上述现象，进一步聚焦影响颗粒输送的关键点，即Loop-seal气动阀，采用引入虚拟阀门的方式提高Loop-seal输送管中的输送阻力，从而有效改进了全回路模拟的稳定性，其预测得到的提升管轴向压降分布与实验值基本吻合。