The characteristics of particle flow in the overflow and underflow standpipe of fluidized beds

Characteristics of particle flow in the standpipes of a 10 cm I.D.×120 cm high fluidized bed were investigated. The standpipes used in this experiment were vertical overflow and vertical underflow standpipes. Sand particles and polyethylene powders were employed as the bed materials. The effects of standpipe diameter, gas velocity and particle properties on the solid flow rate were determined. The experimental results showed that the flow behaviors of solids through the overflow and underflow standpipes are different with variations of operating conditions. For both standpipes, the mass flow rate of solids was strongly dependent on the standpipe diameter. For the overflow standpipe, the increase of gas velocity increased the solids flow rate. But for the underflow standpipe it decreased the solid flow rate. From the measured pressure drops, solid fractions in the standpipes were determined by the momentum balance. The obtained experimental data of solids mass flow rate were well correlated with the pertinent dimensionless groups for underflow as well as overflow standpipes.     

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.     

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.     

Improvement of continuous solid circulation rate measurement in a cold flow circulating fluidized bed

A method is described to independently estimate the solids velocity and voidage in the moving bed portion of the NETL circulating fluidized bed (CFB). These quantities are used by a device that continuously measures the solids circulation rate. The device is based on the use of a rotating Spiral vane installed in the standpipe of a circulating fluid bed (CFB). Correlations were developed from transient experiments and steady state mass balance data to correct the solids velocity and solids fraction in the standpipe as a function of standpipe aeration rate. A set of statistically-designed experiments was used to establish the need for these corrections and to verify the accuracy of solid circulation rate measurements after correction. The differences between the original and corrected measurements were quantitatively compared.     

Solids mixing and segregation in a gas-liquid-solid fluidized bed

Experiments were conducted to study the solids mixing and segregation behaviour in a gas-liquid-solid fluidized bed containing a binary mixture of particles. Particles with different diameters but similar density were employed in the experiments. Multiple shutter plates were used for bed isolation to determine axial variation of the bed properties including concentrations of particles in the binary mixture, and liquid and gas holdups.A mathematical model which takes into consideration two counteracting mechanisms previously reported for solids mixing and segregation behaviour in the liquid-solid fludized bed system was developed to account for the same behaviour in the gas-liquid-solid fluidized bed system. An empirical approach established by Jean and Fan (1987, Chem. Engng Sci., in press) was employed in this study to permit solids holdups in the three phase fluidized bed system to be readily predicted based on the equation of Richardson and Zaki (1954 Trans. Inst. Chem. Engrs32, 35) for two phase fluidized bed systems. Model verification with experimental data was shown to be satisfactory.     

Computation of solid circulation rates in a fluidized bed from tracer particle concentration distributions

Experimentally measured profiles of tracer particle concentration inside a fluidized bed were employed to calculate rates of bed-solid circulation induced by the presence of a central jet and by slug motion. Lagrangian minimization and direct pattern search techniques were used to determine the solids transfer rates, which should minimize the error in the tracer particle mass balance while satisfying the bed solid mass balance. Time-average steady-state mixing of bed solids and upstream weighting of tracer concentrations were employed in the formulation of the minimization scheme. Quantitative information on solid circulation for three nominal jet velocities of 52, 37 and 25 m/s is provided. The computed solid circulation rates show that there is a region of high circulation around the jet and a region of lower circulation induced by the slug motion.     

Fluidized‐bed reactor modeling for polyethylene production

Gas‐phase technology for polyethylene production has been widely used by industries around the world. A good model for the reactor fluid dynamics is essential to properly set the operating conditions of the fluidized‐bed reactor. The fluidized‐bed model developed in this work is based on a steady‐state model, incorporating interactions between separate bubble, emulsion gas phase, and emulsion solid polymer particles. The model is capable not only of computing temperature and concentration gradients for bubble and emulsion phases, calculating polymer particle mean diameter throughout the bed and polyethylene production rate, but also of pinpointing the appearance of hot spots and polymer meltdown. The model differs from conventional well‐mixed fluidized‐bed models by assuming that the particles segregate within the bed according to size and weight differences. The model was validated using literature and patent data, presenting good representation of the behavior of the fluidized‐bed reactor used in ethylene polymerization. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 321–332, 2001     

LIQUID-SOLID MASS TRANSFER IN A THREE PHASE DRAFT TUBE FLUIDIZED BED REACTOR

Liquid-solid mass transfer coefficients in a three phase draft tube fluidized bed reactor have been measured using spherical ion exchange particles. The particle diameters ranged from 655 to 1119μm and solids volume fractions of approximately 5 and 10% were employed in water at 28°C. The experimental data can be successfully correlated using a Reynolds number derived using Kolmogoroffs theory of isotropic turbulence, although it is doubtful whether isotropic turbulence actually prevails in the fluidized bed over the range of conditions employed. Comparison with correlations determined for bubble columns and gas-liquid fluidized beds is performed. A model which considers the draft tube reactor as comprising two distinct fluid mechanical regions is developed to explain the apparently lower values of mass transfer coefficients obtained in a draft tube as opposed to conventional fluidized bed reactor.     

MODEL FOR PREDICTING THE LATERAL DISPERSION COEFFICIENT OF SOLIDS IN GAS-SOLIDS FLUIDIZED BEDS

The lateral mixing of solids in a gas-solids fluidized bed is very complicated.It can be caused by:(a)bubble movement through the bed,(b)bubble burst at the bed surface,and(c)gross particle circulation in thebed.However,experiments show that the major factors effected the lateral mixing of solids are the bubblemovement through the bed and the bubble burst at the bed surface.Thus a model with two mixing re-gions,i.e.mixing in bubble rising region and mixing in bubble breaking region,was proposed.Based on thismodel,an equation for predicting the lateral dispersion coefficient of solids in gas-solids fluidized beds wasderived without any adjustable parameter.The calculated values by this equation are well comparable withthe observed data including the present work and the other investigations.     

Studies on solid mean residence time in a three-stage gas-solid fluidized bed with downcomer

Fluidized bed reactors behave as a continuously stirred tank reactor having wide residence time of solids, which is not desirable if a homogeneous product is required. The multi-stage fluidized bed reactors narrow the solids residence time, making it useful for various operations. A three-stage fluidized reactor was designed, fabricated and operated under stable operating condition to investigate the mean particle residence time in the system. The materials taken for the study were lime and sand. In the particle residence time experiments, the results revealed that at a particular solids velocity, mean residence time decreased with increase in gas velocity and increased with decrease in gas velocity. Based on the data, a correlation has been presented for predicting mean residence time.     

Agglomerate stability in fluidized beds of glass beads and silica sand

Fluidized bed agglomeration is used to reduce dust problems and stabilize mixtures of various particulate components. This technology is applied to a wide variety of industries for the commercial production of pharmaceuticals, detergents, specialty chemicals, fertilizers and food. In many applications, agglomerate stability is an important criterion for production, since agglomerates and granules that do not conform to specific standards of size and shape may create problems in downstream operations such as tableting, thus reducing the efficiency of the entire process and lowering product quality. The general objectives of the present study consisted of the determination of the key parameters affecting the stability of wet agglomerates in a fluidized bed.In this study, artificial agglomerates of glass beads and water or silica sand and water were formed using a cylindrical mold. They were then fluidized in a 0.10 m diameter bed of different solids for a set period of time. The bed contents were then screened after each experimental run to retrieve the agglomerates and determine whether breakage or erosion occurred. This study investigated the effects on agglomerate stability of solid wettability by the liquid, agglomerate liquid content, particle shape, particle size, particle size distribution, and fluidizing gas velocity.     

Vertical pneumatic conveying of particle plugs

Dense-phase pneumatic conveying of solids offers many advantages over dilute-phase conveying. The lower air velocities, and, consequently, lower particle velocities, result in lower pipe wear and lower particle attrition. This paper describes an experimental program that has been undertaken to study the flow pattern of cohesionless solids in vertical transport and to measure the parameters influencing the pressure drop required to move a single plug of solids. Highspeed photographic techniques have been used to observe the flow pattern of polyethylene particles (diameter ? 3 mm) in the vertical riser section of a circulating unit constructed from pipes with an internal diameter of 50.8 mm. The flow pattern resembles that of square-nosed slugging in a fluidized bed. The solids move up as “plugs” of bulk solids that occupy the entire cross-section of the pipe. Particles are seen to “rain” down from the back of one plug and then to be collected by the front of the next plug. Collecting these particles causes a stress on the plug front which is transmitted by powder mechanics forces axially through the plug and radially to the wall. The pressure drop required to move a single plug of cohesionless solids through the transport pipeline was measured as a function of the plug length, particle properties, pipe diameter, and the frontal stress. The results of these experiments are compared with a theoretical model.     

气固循环流化床提升管环核区颗粒质量传递系数的估计

Based on analysis of energy dissipation in the core region of gas-solid fluidized bed risers,a simplified model for determination of core-annulus solids mass transfer coefficient was developed according to turbulent diffu- sion mechanism of particles.The simulation results are consistent with published experimental data.Core-annulus solids mass transfer coefficient decreases with increasing particle size,particle density and solids circulation rate, but generally increases with increasing superficial gas velocity and riser diameter.In the upper dilute region of gas-solid fiuidized bed risers,core-annulus solids mass transfer coefficient was found to change little with the axial coordinate in the bed.     

Experimental profiles of lateral mixing of feed particles in a three‐dimensional fluidized bed

Solids mixing data of high quality is one of the most crucial steps for quantitative studies, but it is a difficult task to obtain in a fluidized bed especially with a 3D configuration. Therefore a novel sampling technique is developed with bed collapse method, for measuring lateral mixing of feed particles in a 3D fluidized bed. The sampling tool is designed using a “bottom‐to‐top sampling” idea. Its development, configuration and measurement repetition are discussed in detail. The effects of mixing time, fluidizing gas velocity, and particle size of bed material on the tracer distribution are investigated. A quantitative comparison of lateral dispersion coefficient shows that our results agree fairly well with measurements and predictions of correlations for lab‐scale fluidized systems in previous studies. The presented 2D profiles of the lateral mixing can be used to validate fundamental solids mixing models or verifying convenient measurement techniques. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011     

BUBBLE MOTION IN A THREE-PHASE LIQUID FLUIDIZED BED

This paper presents results for the rise velocities of air bubbles in liquids and liquid-solid fluidized beds. The bubble sizes ranged from approximately 0.03 to 0.45 cm radius. Tap water and distilled water were used as the fluidizing liquids. The solid phase consisted of low density alginate gel beads of mean radius 0.04 cm. The gel beads were translucent which permitted observation of bubbles inside the bed even at large solids volume fractions. Experiments were conducted for solids volume fractions ranging from 15% to 52% and in clear liquids. The goal of the experiments was to determine rise velocities of bubbles and to develop and evaluate correlations of bubble rise velocity based on bubble size, solids volume fraction and liquid properties. It was determined that, for moderate solids fractions (ranging from 28% to 45% solids), a semi-empirical correlation that treated the fluidized bed as a pure liquid with a higher viscosity than the liquid phase could be used to represent the data. The Thomas effective viscosity model was used to predict the viscosity. Provided that one restricts attention to a water fluidized bed, a second empirical correlation can be used to represent the data over a broader range of solids fractions.     

Drying of Inorganic Particulate Compounds

Inorganic particulates are usually dried in a fixed bed, fluidized bed, or spray dryers. These compounds are easy to dry, once their physical structure, with high porosity, allows moisture content removal with low resistances. For fluidized bed of alumina particle evaluations, a laboratory-scale drying unit was built. The drying experiments were carried out with alumina particles with different diameters to evaluate temperature and air flow rate effects on drying kinetics and bed height. In another case, the dehydration of a mixture of rare-earth chlorides in a fluidized bed was studied, aiming at the production of anhydrous rare-earth chlorides, used to obtain mischmetal by electrolytic and metallothermic processes. The spray drying experiments were carried out in a pilot plant. Spray drying is a technique largely applied in industrial processes to dry solutions or suspensions, converting their solid parts into a dried powder. A set of rare-earth drying experiments was carried out, aiming at the development of techniques to obtain a powder that could satisfy international morphological requirements. The results allowed evaluating the effects of air flow rate, feed concentration, atomizer model, rotation velocity, and atomization pressure on powder density and particle size distribution.     

Drying of Inorganic Particulate Compounds

ABSTRACT

Inorganic particulates are usually dried in a fixed bed, fluidized bed, or spray dryers. These compounds are easy to dry, once their physical structure, with high porosity, allows moisture content removal with low resistances. For fluidized bed of alumina particle evaluations, a laboratory-scale drying unit was built. The drying experiments were carried out with alumina particles with different diameters to evaluate temperature and air flow rate effects on drying kinetics and bed height. In another case, the dehydration of a mixture of rare-earth chlorides in a fluidized bed was studied, aiming at the production of anhydrous rare-earth chlorides, used to obtain mischmetal by electrolytic and metallothermic processes. The spray drying experiments were carried out in a pilot plant. Spray drying is a technique largely applied in industrial processes to dry solutions or suspensions, converting their solid parts into a dried powder. A set of rare-earth drying experiments was carried out, aiming at the development of techniques to obtain a powder that could satisfy international morphological requirements. The results allowed evaluating the effects of air flow rate, feed concentration, atomizer model, rotation velocity, and atomization pressure on powder density and particle size distribution.     

颗粒相壁面条件对非球形颗粒流动影响的数值模拟

采用双流体模型对设置竖直隔板的气固密相流化床中非球形颗粒的运动进行了模拟,颗粒形状的影响由相间曳力模型考虑,重点考察壁面处颗粒边界条件的影响。同时进行了实验室规模三维流化床的流化实验,以验证模型的有效性。通过压降轴向分布、颗粒浓度径向分布以及物料出口处颗粒质量流率功率谱估计等定量分析,结果表明：对不设置内构件的自由床,壁面反射系数对系统宏观流动特性影响较小,而对壁面处局部颗粒运动影响较大;对壁面面积大幅增加的内构件床,壁面反射系数可显著改变气体和颗粒的运动特征,取值需控制在适当范围内。     

On trajectory and velocity measurements in fluidized beds using positron emission particle tracking (PEPT)

Positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) is a non-invasive technique that can be used for following the trajectories of particles in fluidized beds, so increasing understanding of solids motion in fluidized bed processes. We describe how PEPT is applied, how its performance is optimized, and how trajectory information can be built up into instantaneous and time-averaged measures of particle movement. Choices and pitfalls in data processing are explained and illustrated by reference to the travelling fluidized bed (TFB) collaboration initiated by Professor John Grace.