Multi-component granulation in a fast fluidized bed

The granulation of multi-component particles was conducted in a fast fluidized bed with an atomizing binder solution. The effects of gas velocity and binder droplet diameter on granulation rate, granule size distribution and granule composition were studied. The granulation rate and granule yield were determined by the balance between the agglomeration rate of feed particles and the disintegration rate of granules because there was no secondary granulation. With the increase in gas velocity and the reduction in binder droplet size, the agglomeration rate of feed particles decreased but the disintegration rate of granules increased, resulting in a reduced granule yield. Despite the larger fraction of small particles in the granules, the homogenous granulation of multi-component particles was achieved.     

The motion mechanism and characteristic of bubble in a pseudo-2D tapered fluidized bed

The different carbon nanotube (CNT) particles (^@A and ^@V) were bed materials in the pseudo-2D tapered fluidized bed (TFB) with/without a distributor. A detailed investigation of the motion mechanism of bubbles was carried out. The high-speed photography and image analysis techniques were used to study bubble characteristic and mixing behavior in the tapered angle of TFB without a distributor. The fractal analysis method was used to analyze the degree of particles movement. Results showed that an S-shaped motion trajectory of bubbles was captured in the bed of ^@V particles. The population of observational bubbles in the bed of ^@V particles was more than that of ^@A particles, and the bubble size was smaller in the bed of ^@V particles than that of ^@A particles. The motion mechanism of bubbles had been shown to be related to bed materials and initial bed height in terms of analysis and comparison of bubble diameter, bubble aspect ratio and bubble shape factor. Importantly, compared to the TFB with a distributor, the TFB without a distributor had been proved to be beneficial to the CNT fluidization according to the study of bubble characteristic and the degree of the particle movement. Additionally, it was found that the mixing behavior of ^@V particles was better than ^@A particles in the tapered angle of TFB without a distributor.     

Fluidization dynamic characteristics of carbon nanotube particles in a tapered fluidized bed

In this work, a tapered fluidized bed (TFB) without a distributor for fluidizing carbon nanotube (CNT) was applied for improving the dead zone, blockage, and fracture of distributor, which occurred in actual production. Experiments were performed under different superficial gas velocities, static bed heights, CNT agglomerate size, and positions of pressure probe. To obtain multi-perspective and multi-scale understanding of fluidization dynamics of gas–CNT flow in the TFB without a distributor, the standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis, wavelet decompositions and homogeneous index analysis methods were adopted. Some noticeable phenomena were observed. Particle movements including inter-particle, gas–particle and particle–wall dominate dynamic characteristics. The amplitudes of pressure fluctuations of coarse agglomerated multi-walled CNT were more sensitive to the gas velocity than that of fine agglomerated multi-walled CNT. The sensitively of energy contribution of the meso- and macro-structures was that the sensitivity of the measured position was less than the sensitivity of the energy contribution by the changes of particle size, and the sensitivity of the energy contribution by the changes of particle size was less than the energy contribution by the changes of gas velocity. The fluidization quality of coarse agglomerated multi-walled CNT was better than that of fine agglomerated multi-walled CNT, which was verified by the skewness and wavelet analysis.     

CFD modeling of tapered circulating fluidized bed reactor risers: Hydrodynamic descriptions and chemical reaction responses

A comprehensive two-dimensional transient Eulerian model combined with the kinetic theory of granular flow was developed to obtain the hydrodynamic and chemical reaction behaviors in tapered circulating fluidized bed reactor risers. In this study, the focus was on the chemical reactions and its behaviors inside three different riser geometries. The model was verified by using an experimental dataset from the literature, and was then used for both predicting the hydrodynamic behaviors and computing the system turbulent properties. The tapered-out riser improves the system turbulence or mixing which can be explained by the dispersion coefficients. On the other hand, the tapered-in riser increases the solid particle residence time and gives a more uniform temperature distribution, because it does not have sufficient force to support the weight of the particles. The same riser geometries but with the addition of the chemical reaction were then used for evaluating the previously proposed criteria that the riser geometry should be chosen with respect to the characteristics of the reactions. Reactions with a medium reaction rate were best suited to the typical riser, whilst reactions with a fast and slow reaction rate best fitted the tapered-out and tapered-in risers, respectively.     

Modeling of segregation in magnetized fluidized bed with binary mixture of Geldart-B magnetizable and nonmagnetizable particles

For the magnetized fluidized bed(MFB)with the binary mixture of Geldart-B magnetizable and nonmagnetizable particles,the magnetically induced segregation between these two kinds of particles occurs at high magnetic field intensities(H),leading to the deterioration of the fluidization quality.The critical intensity(H_(ms))above which such segregation commences varies with the gas velocity(U_g).This work focuses on establishing a segregation model to theoretically derive the H_(ms)–U_g relationship.In a magnetic field,the magnetizable particles form agglomerates.The magnetically induced segregation in essence refers to the size segregation of the binary mixture of agglomerates and nonmagnetizable particles.Consequently,the segregation model was established in two steps:first,the size of agglomerates(d_A)was calculated by the force balance model;then,the H_(ms)–U_g relationship was obtained by substituting the expression of d_Ainto the basic size segregation model for binary mixtures.As per the force balance model,the cohesive and collision forces were 1_2 orders of magnitude greater than the other forces exerted on the agglomerates.Therefore,the balance between these two forces largely determined d_A.The calculated d_A increased with increasing H and decreasing U_g,agreeing qualitatively with the experimental observation.The calculated H_(ms)–U_ g relationship agreed reasonably with the experimental data,indicating that the present segregation model could predict well the segregation behavior in the MFB with the binary mixture.     

Critical fluidization velocities and maximum bed pressure drops of homogeneous binary mixture of irregular particles in gas-solid tapered fluidized beds

Recently, tapered fluidized bed has become more attractive because of the problems associated with conventional (cylindrical) beds like fluidization of widely distributed particles, entrainment of particles and limitation of fluidization velocity. There have been some investigations on hydrodynamics of uniform single size particles but there have been no detailed studies of homogeneous binary mixture of particles of different sizes and different particles in tapered beds. In the present work, an attempt has been made to study the hydrodynamic characteristics of homogeneous binary mixture of irregular particles in tapered beds having different tapered angles. Correlations have been developed for important characteristics, especially critical fluidization velocities and maximum bed pressure drops of homogeneous binary mixture of irregular particles in gas-solid tapered fluidized beds. Experimental values of critical fluidization velocities and maximum bed pressure drops have been compared with the developed correlations.     

Numerical analysis of particle mixing in a rotating fluidized bed

This paper describes the numerical analysis of particle mixing in a rotating fluidized bed (RFB). A two-dimensional discrete element method (DEM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) coupling model were proposed to analyze the radial particle mixing in the RFB. Spherical polyethylene particles (Geldart group B particles) were used as model particles under the assumptions that they were cohesionless and mono-disperse with their diameter of 0.5 mm.The validity of the proposed model was confirmed by the comparison between the calculated degree of particle mixing and the experimental one, which was obtained by measuring the lightness of the recorded image taken by a high-speed video camera. Effects of the operating parameters (gas velocity, centrifugal acceleration, particle bed height, and vessel radius) on the radial particle mixing rate were numerically analyzed. The radial particle mixing rate was found to be strongly affected by the bubble characteristics, especially by the bubble size. The mathematical model for the rate coefficient of particle mixing as functions of operating parameters was empirically proposed. The radial particle mixing rate in a RFB could be well correlated by the three dimensionless numbers: dimensionless acceleration (Ac), bubble Froude number (Fr_b), and dimensionless radius on the surface of particle bed (β_s).     

Granulation time in fluidized bed granulators

Size enlargement of particles in fluidized bed granulation involves mixing of particles with a binder liquid to form larger wet granules and drying them to form dry granules. Identification of the time for completion of granulation process is critical as further fluidization of dry granules is providing extra energy for their attrition. Monitoring the bed pressure drop and bed temperature of a batch fluidized bed granulator with time can provide information on the time for completion of the granulation process. Experimental observations on granulation time and size of granules in a lab-scale batch fluidized bed granulator are presented. Model based equations are developed for the estimation of granulation time and size of granules.     

Minimum fluidization velocity at elevated temperature in tapered fluidized bed

Very little data of minimum fluidization velocity at elevated temperatures of tapered bed are available in the literature. This study was undertaken to provide some data under elevated temperature conditions in tapered bed. Data on minimum fluidization velocity have been obtained experimentally for temperature up to 800 °C in case of 0.5 mm diameter of sand particles and up to 500 °C in case of 1 mm diameter of glass beads in tapered bed. An equation valid for the bed has been developed in terms of Archimedes number and Reynolds number. The experimental values for minimum fluidization velocity at elevated temperatures have been compared with the calculated values obtained from present equation and from earlier equations developed by other authors for ambient conditions in conventional (cylindrical) bed and tapered bed. Fairly good agreement was found to exist between the calculated (from present equation) and the experimental values.     

Numerical modeling of particle fluidization behavior in a rotating fluidized bed

In this study, numerical modeling of particle fluidization behaviors in a rotating fluidized bed (RFB) was conducted. The proposed numerical model was based on a DEM (Discrete Element Method)-CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) coupling model. Fluid motion was calculated two-dimensionally by solving the local averaged basic equations. Particle motion was calculated two-dimensionally by the DEM. Calculation of fluid motion by the CFD and particle motion by the DEM were simultaneously conducted in the present model. Geldart group B particles (diameter and particle density were 0.5 mm and 918 kg/m³, respectively) were used for both calculation and experiment. First of all, visualization of particle fluidization behaviors in a RFB was conducted. The calculated particle fluidization behaviors by our proposed numerical model, such as the formation, growth and eruption of bubble and particle circulation, showed good agreement with the actual fluidization behaviors, which were observed by a high-speed video camera. The estimated results of the minimum fluidization velocity (U_mf) and the bed pressure drop at fluidization condition (ΔP_f) by our proposed model and other available analytical models in literatures were also compared with the experimental results. It was found that our proposed model based on the DEM-CFD coupling model could predict the U_mf and ΔP_f with a high accuracy because our model precisely considered the local downward gravitational effect, while the other analytical models overpredicted the ΔP_f due to ignoring the gravitational effect.     

液固循环流化床换热器中固体颗粒分布

利用CCD图像测量与数据处理系统对多管液固循环流化床换热器中的两相流动特性进行了研究。探讨了下管箱中的分布板结构对固体粒子的体积分数分布、固体粒子的速度分布,以及液固两相流压降的影响。实验结果表明:在循环流化床换热器进口段安装适当结构的多孔板分布器,即多孔板的面积小于床层截面积,且床中心处的遮挡面积大于边缘处的遮挡面积,可以有效地提高固相速度的均匀程度,在较高流速下,能较好地改善固体颗粒在管束中的不均匀分布。     

Numerical simulation of cohesive particle motion in vibrated fluidized bed

The effect of vibration on the cohesive particle motion in the bed was examined by using discrete element method(DEM). The bed of dried fine particles was treated as the objective of calculation. The van der Waals force was used as the cohesive force because the van der Waals force was considered to be the main cohesive force in this case. Since the actual calculation time was too long, the fine cohesive particle was difficult to be treated. So a relatively large particle (1.0 mm in diameter) was used in calculation and the van der Waals force was assumed that the ratio of gravity force to van der Waals force of particle used in this calculation was equal to that of a fine particle (6.0 μm in diameter), to express the effect of van der Waals force significantly. The calculation results were compared with that case of cohesionless particle.In the case with vibration, the cohesive particle motion in the bed is observed, though no fluidization state appears in the case without vibration, and there is no bubble in the bed even the fluidization state. In the case of cohesive particle, the collision energy between particle and wall caused by vibration gap propagates from the bottom to top of bed, and the particle moves vigorously at the top of bed in the case with vibration. As the vibration gap increases, the effect of vibration on the cohesive particle motion becomes larger, i.e., the low vibration frequency at the same vibration strength or the large vibration strength at the same vibration frequency promotes the fluidization of the bed.     

Pyrite enrichment in vibrated fluidized bed based on density segregation

It is of significance for the environmental protection, the shortage of water, and the economic benefits to recovering the pyrite from the gangue with high sulphur content (GHSC) by the vibrated fluidized bed. In this study, characteristics such as the sulphur form of pyrite, size distribution, and dissociation degree of sample were analysed. Based on the above analysis, a vibrated fluidized bed was first used for the pyrite enrichment from GHSC. The effect of air velocity, vibration intensity, and bed height on the separation performance was analysed by separation experiments. The results show that the separation efficiency increased firstly and then decreased with increasing gas velocity, vibration intensity, and bed height. The total sulphur contents (TSCs) of ?6 + 3, ?3 + 1, and ?1 + 0.5 mm size fraction materials were up to 37.94%, 35.43%, and 30.61%, respectively, and the enrichment grades were 1.72, 1.90, and 2.29 times, respectively, under the optimal conditions, indicating that using a vibrated fluidized bed was efficient for the pyrite enrichment.     

Hydrodynamics of gas-solid fluidized bed of disparately sized binary particles

The hydrodynamics of binary mixture of Geldart Group A and D particles in a turbulent fluidized bed were investigated by experiment and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method in this paper. The results showed that at low gas velocity, the binary mixtures tend to segregate. At moderate gas velocity, they incline to mix well in the dense phase. Further increasing gas velocity, small particles are entrained and accumulate in the upper regime of the bed, and a segregation trend of the binary mixture appears again. At high gas velocities, segregation efficiency in the continuous classification process increases with increasing the gas velocity and mean residence time of the binary mixture, however, decreases with increasing the small particle content. A strong particle recirculation appears all over the dense phase of the bed, causing an approximately uniform solid composition in radial direction of the fluidized bed.     

Evaluation of the morphological and release characteristics of coated fertilizer granules produced in a Wurster fluidized bed

In the present study, coated fertilizer granules were produced in a Wurster chamber of a fluidized-bed equipment for controlled-release agrochemical applications. The coating material was a commercially available latex of poly(vinylidene-chloride). The influence of the process parameters (e.g., spray rate of the polymer latex, fluidization air velocity, distance of the partition from the air inlet and perforation percentage of the plate at the air inlet) on the morphology and quality of the coating was thoroughly investigated. The surface characteristics of the coated fertilizer granules were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The release rate of the fertilizer's nutrients from the coated granules was determined by kinetic-release experiments carried out in distilled water. Depending on the selected process conditions, the coating thickness could vary from 25 to 65 μm, while the surface of the coated granules changed from completely smooth to rough and porous. It was shown that by suitable selection of the coating conditions in the Wurster process, controlled-release fertilizers exhibiting prolonged release profiles could be produced.     

A device for measuring solids flowrate in a circulating fluidized bed

The on-line measurement of solids flowrate is important to numerous industrial processes. This paper considers a variation of impact-type solids flow meters suitable for use in numerous applications, including circulating fluidized beds (CFBs). The solids flowrate meter introduced herein is on-line, capable of operation in high temperature environments, and useful for a broad range of flowrates with good linearity, accuracy and fast response time. The flow meter works by measuring the torque that results on a hinged plate when falling solids impact the plate. A theoretical model of the device is developed and its results are compared to experimental data for the operation with various solids.     

Correlations for critical fluidization velocity and maximum bed pressure drop for heterogeneous binary mixture of irregular particles in gas–solid tapered fluidized beds

The tapered fluidized bed is a remedial measure for certain drawbacks of the gas–solid system, by the fact that a velocity gradient exists along the axial direction of the bed with increase in cross-sectional area. To study the dynamic characteristics of heterogeneous binary mixture of irregular particles, several experiments have been carried out with varying tapered angles and composition of the mixtures with various particles. The tapered angle of the bed has been found to affect the characteristics of the bed. Models based on dimensional analysis have been proposed to predict the critical fluidization velocity and maximum bed pressure drop for gas–solid tapered fluidized beds. Experimental values of critical fluidization velocity and maximum bed pressure drop compare well with that predicted by the proposed models and the average absolute errors are well within 15%.     

From hygroscopic single particle to batch fluidized bed drying kinetics

A new normalization concept for convective drying of hygroscopic particulates is introduced. Both, intraparticle drying kinetics and sorption equilibrium are considered separately, and integrated into a new heterogeneous fluid bed model for coupled heat and mass transfer. Experiments were carried out using spherical γ-Al₂O₃ particles. Sorption isotherms, as well as drying curves, for single particles and fluidized beds have been measured. Batch fluid bed drying curves appear to be predictable on the basis of single particle and material equilibrium data and with the help of the model. All model parameters are directly taken, or estimated from fluidization literature, without any fitting.     

Hydrodynamic study of a toroidal fluidized bed reactor

Hydrodynamic behavior of a newly developed toroidal fluidized bed reactor is studied in this work. The reactor has a gas distributor consisting of angled blades in an annular ring at the reactor bottom. The driving force for particles to move over the distributing blades comes from the velocity head of gas jets accelerated upon entering the blade spacing. Relevant hydrodynamic behaviors are measured with various inert materials in a pilot scale 400-mm toroidal fluidized bed reactor. The observed hydrodynamic behavior is found to be essentially predictable at ambient temperature by conventional hydrodynamic models. Fine particle tracking on the reactor wall is clearly observed through oxidation of zinc dross at a bed temperature of around 1120°C, and is simulated on the basis of a simplified mathematical model. Hydrodynamic issues, such as particle flying trajectory and retention time in the reactor, are discussed based on the developed model.     

流化床密相区内固体颗粒对流换热模型研究进展

为深入理解流化床密相区内活性颗粒表面换热过程,论述了乳化相模型、单颗粒和双颗粒模型、变物性模型以及接触热阻模型等流化床密相区内固体颗粒对流换热模型的研究进展,提出了模型发展方向。当流化风速较低时,固体颗粒对流换热系数可采用乳化相模型进行预测。针对流化风速较大的工况,有学者提出了单颗粒和双颗粒模型、变物性模型以及接触热阻模型,并采用适当假设简化模型,然而模型的可靠性仍需进一步验证。最后提出现应加强固体颗粒对流换热过程的模型研究,提高模型在较宽风速范围内对固体颗粒对流换热系数预测的适用性;重点研究活性颗粒在密相区内的运动形式及活性颗粒表面固体颗粒对流换热关键参数测量方法。