Investigation of the bubble behaviour at the free surface of a large three-dimensional gas fluidized bed

Gas fluidization is generally associated with the formation of bubbles that critically influence the performance of fluidized bed processes (FBPs). Therefore, in the design, simulation and operation of FBPs, it is very essential to know the behaviour of the bubbles at the free surface. The size and growth of bubbles play an important role for determining properties such as bed expansion, solids entraiment, in-bed heat transfer and solid mixing. This paper presents a study on the behaviour of bubbles at the free surface of a large three dimensional gas-fluidized bed with square section of 61×61 cm². Measurements were carried out to determine the effects of bed height and excess air velocity on the bubble eruption diameter, frequency and bubble fraction. All experiments were performed at freely bubbling mode and the flow characteristics of bubbles were recorded by a video camera. Bed materials used were 593 μm raw perlite and 1233 μm sand falling within the categories of Geldarts Groups B and D, respectively. The fixed bed height ranged from about 8–18 cm for raw perlite and 9–26 cm for sand. The excess air velocity was varied between 0·5 and 1·75 cm s⁻¹ for raw perlite and 13 and 25 cm s⁻¹ for sand. Equations related to the bubble count, frequency, flow area shape factor and through-flow coefficient were given using a modified form of two-phase theory of fluidisation. Observations were made to validate the two-phase theory for two different particles. The flow area shape factor was in the range of 0·47–0·81 for raw perlite and 0·20 to 0·57 for sand, with mean values of 0·6 and 0·4, respectively. The through-flow coefficient was found to be between −0·68 and 2·82 for raw perlite and between 3·27 to 15·87 for sand, and was larger than predicted values of classical bubble models. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CFD simulation of jet behaviour and voidage profile in a gas–solid fluidized bed

Based on an Eulerian–Eulerian approach, a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model for gas–solid system has been developed to investigate the hydrodynamics in fluidized beds. With this model, jet penetration height, jet frequency, time‐averaged axial gas velocity profile, and time‐averaged voidage profile have been simulated in a two‐dimensional bed. The computational results indicate that the jet penetration height increases with increasing the jet gas velocity. The jet frequency decreases with increasing the jet gas velocity and decreasing particle diameter. The time‐averaged axial gas velocity profile becomes ‘lower’ and ‘wider’ and the time‐averaged voidage decreases with increasing distance from the jet nozzle. These conclusions appear in good agreement with the experimental and simulated data in the literature. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of particle motion and heat transfer in circulating fluidized beds

In this study, the forces affecting the motion of particle clusters near the wall of a CFB were theoretically analysed. The motion trajectory and the contact time of clusters were determined from the proposed model for two cases, steel ball having density of 6980 kg m^?3 and sand having density of 2500 kg m^?3. Computational results showed that the construction and operational parameters such as the bed equivalent diameter, the gas velocity and the bed temperature have great influence on the contact time of clusters. Based on analysis of the contact time of clusters, a theoretical model was developed for predicting the particle–gas convection heat transfer coefficient. The results were compared with experiments and were a quite agreement with the measured data in the open literature which suggests that the theoretical analysis conducted in this work can very well describe the convection heat transfer in a CFB. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Particle holdup in a liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed

An experiment was conducted to acquire a set of systematic data of particle holdup in risers of a liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed. In the experiment, two kinds of riser were provided, their inner diameter being 24 mm and 36 mm, respectively. Tested particles were of glass and ceramics, having a diameter range from 2.10 to 4.95 mm. Water at ambient conditions was used as the fluidizing liquid. Particle holdup was measured using a shut‐off method. Based on the experimental data, a correlation for predicting the particle holdup was derived, which could reproduce almost all experimental data with an accuracy of ±15%. The effect of the wall was not recognized within the experimental range, i.e., the diameter ratio of particle to riser is less than 0.2. The independent parameters affecting the flow characteristics of liquid–solid circulating fluidized beds were identified. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 37(3): 184–196, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www. interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/htj.20194     

Theoretical performance analysis of the multi‐stage gas–solid fluidized bed air preheater

The multi‐stage fluidized bed can be used to preheat the combustion air by recovering the waste heat from the exhaust gas from industrial furnaces. The dilute‐phase fluidized bed may be formed to exclude the excessive pressure drop across the multi‐stage fluidized bed. But, in this case, the solid particles do not reach to the thermal equilibrium due to relatively short residence time in each layer of fluidized bed. In this study, a theoretical analysis on the dilute phase multistage fluidized bed heat exchanger was performed. A parameter related to the degree of thermal equilibrium between gas and solid particles at the dilute‐phase fluidized beds was derived. Using this parameter, a relatively simple expression was obtained for the thermal efficiencies of the multi‐stage fluidized bed heat exchanger and air preheater. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamic force reduction and heat transfer improvement for horizontal tubes in large-particle gas-fluidized beds

The effects of tube bank configuration on forces and heat transfer were investigated for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional gas fluidized beds. Effective dynamic forces and heat transfer coefficients were measured for several tube bank configurations, and it was found that the average forces are smaller than for a single tube. The heat transfer coefficient can be increased by providing sufficient space for particles to descend around both sides of the tube bank. The results provide useful guidelines for optimizing the configuration of tube banks to achieve high heat transfer coefficients while reducing tube erosion due to dynamic forces.     

Numerical study of different gas–solid flow regimes effects on hydrodynamics and heat transfer performance of a fluidized bed reactor

In this study, a two‐?uid Eulerian–Eulerian model has been carried out applying the kinetic theory of granular flow (KTGF) to study the hydrodynamics and heat transfer behavior of a fluidized bed reactor simultaneously. The effects of different gas–solid flow regimes on the operating conditions and heat transfer rate between the hot air and two types of low and high‐density inert particles are investigated in a fluidized bed dryer. Different gas–solid flow regimes for wood and glass particles of groups A, B, and D of Geldart's classification are simulated to introduce the most optimal flow regime in terms of heat transfer rate and operating costs. The compromise between the heating rate, the height required for the reactor, and the ratio of the final mass to the initial mass of solid particles, which specifies the need for a cyclone separator showed that the bubbling regime of Geldart B powder for low‐density particles and the turbulent regime of Geldart D powder or bubbling regime of Geldart B powder for high‐density particles are the optimal operating conditions and flow regimes. Furthermore, it was concluded that the convective heat transfer is the dominant mechanism, which increases with increasing the air velocity and decreasing the particle diameter in each group.     

An analysis for compressible flows in a packed bed with metathesis gas–solid reaction

Taking into consideration the mass exchange between gas and solid, and the density change of gas mixture due to reaction, a model is proposed for compressible flows in a packed bed with isothermal metathesis gas–solid reaction aA(g) + bB(s) = cC(g) + dD(s), When a ≠ c, the ratio c/a greatly affects the flows of gas mixture, but for a = c, this coupled model reduces to the non-coupled model. One-dimensional numerical solutions show that the velocity profiles obtained from coupled model greatly differ from that from the non-coupled model. The radius of pellets can change the velocity variation trend. The concentration profiles obtained from this coupled model also differ from that from the non-coupled model. A coupled model accounting for only mass exchange between gas and solid, but neglecting the density change of gas mixture due to reaction will produce an extra term, which results in a great deviation of the velocity and concentration from those from the more comprehensive coupled model.     

Expansion of multi-jet bed with large particles

An experimental investigation under cold conditions was made to study the effect of some operating parameters on average porosity in a 1·1 m long, 0·35 m wide and 1·2 m high multi-jet bed (Ingnifluid type) with air flow rate varying from 1200 m³ h⁻¹ to 3500 m³ h⁻¹ and total bed inventory from 26 kg to 45 kg. Rice, peas and one rice-pea mixture (mass ratio 70–30) of sizes 1·95 mm, 5.0 mm and 2·44 mm, respectively, were used as bed material to simulate coal particles. Average bed porosity was estimated based on pressure drop along the bed height. It was found to be in the range 0·58 to 0·72, 0·51 to 0·62 and 0·55 to 0·65 for rice, peas and rice-pea mixture, respectively. One mathematical correlation has been developed from the experimental results to predict average porosity as a function of air flow rate, total bed inventory and particle size used. This correlation is developed for hydrodynamic modelling of an industrial multi-jet combustor.     

Modeling of solids segregation in circulating fluidized bed boilers

Segregation always occurs in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) because of the wide distribution of particle size and density of the bed material. Terminal velocity has a significant influence on solids segregation; thus, it is convenient to describe the segregation tendency using single particle terminal velocity u_t. This paper proposes a segregation model in CFB boilers based on the Cell Model. In each cell along the riser, varied-sized particles have different tendencies toward segregation; finer particles are carried out more easily, while coarser ones tend to sink into the cell. It is assumed that the average terminal velocity ut ˉ, corresponding to the mean particle size in the cell, has a segregation index of x = 1.0 as the reference point. The segregation index of particles with higher terminal velocity is lower than 1.0, while that for finer particles is larger than 1.0. The empirical formulae of segregation parameters, namely x₀ and k₁, are derived by optimizing experimental data in published literature. The test result of ash size distribution in a 220 t/h CFB boiler validates the reasonableness of the model.     

Characteristics of particle mixtures in a liquid‐fluidized bed

Behavior of particle mixtures was investigated in a liquid‐fluidized bed experimentally. In the experiment, two kinds of particles of different diameters, and of the same or different materials, were charged in a fluidization column and fluidized by water. Based on the observation of fluidization, a flow pattern map was proposed using the Archimedes number ratio and the terminal velocity ratio, which classifies the two patterns, that is, separation and homogeneous mix. Measured mean void fractions of particle mixtures agreed well with the values calculated from those for each particle independently. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Heat Trans Asian Res, 30(3): 175–184, 2001     

循环流化床锅炉优点分析

循环流化床锅炉因具有燃料适应性广、负荷调节性强以及环保性能优良而日益得到人们的重视,并且是传统技术所无法实现的,正是由于这些技术优点,使循环流化床锅炉得以快速发展和广泛应用.     

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]     

循环流化床煤与生活垃圾混烧过程中HCL的排放

在０．２ＭＷｔｈ循环流化床上进行垃圾与煤混烧实验．测量ＨＣｌ排放浓度,探讨城市生活垃圾掺烧比率和床层温度对ＨＣｌ排放浓度的影响．实验结果显示,在混烧过程中,随垃圾加入量的增加。ＨＣｌ排放量增加,温度对ＨＣｌ排放浓度的影响很小。垃圾中Ｃａ／（Ｓ＋０．５Ｃｌ）摩尔比对ＨＣｌ自脱除有影响．采用三相流态化垃圾净化系统时,ＨＣｌ在尾气净化系统中的脱除效率高于８０％。     

Heat transfer on tube bundles embedded horizontally in a liquid‐fluidized bed

Heat transfer on tube bundles embedded horizontally in a liquid‐fluidized bed was investigated experimentally. In the experiment, a total of 5 kinds of tube bundles in an equilateral triangular staggered arrangement, including a single tube, was used. Tested particles were of glass and ceramics, and their diameter range was from 2.1 to 6.0 mm. It was found that the distribution of local heat transfer coefficients around a tube depends not on the kind of particles, but on the tube pitch only, when a good fluidizing condition is maintained. Based on the experimental data, a new method was proposed to predict average heat transfer coefficient, which can be applicable for tube bundles having a tube pitch to diameter ratio of 1.2 to infinity (single tube). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 34(2): 85–98, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/htj.20048     

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.     

PFBC中试电站煤添加和灰排放技术

由于增压流化床燃烧（PFBC）技术的自身特点,使得气力输送技术成为增压流化床燃烧技术连续稳定供料和排料的有效手段。作者考察了锅炉压力为0.6MPa下,气力输煤系统喷射器（无扩散管）气体喷嘴的位置和固气比对输送稳定性的影响,以及在锅炉压力为0.6MPa下连续气力输灰特性。试验研究发现：输煤系统中,物料质量流率与喷射器的几何参数关系非常密切。输灰系统在较高的固气比（μ≥3）下能连续稳定运行。     

Effect of operating parameters on sulphur capture in a pressurized circulating fluidized bed combustor

Experiments are conducted to investigate the effect of system pressure, Ca/S ratio and primary air velocity on sulphur capture in a pressurized circulating fluidized bed (PCFB) combustor. The pressure inside the PCFB combustor is varied from 200 to 700 kPa. The Ca/S ratio is varied from 1.6 to 3.0. The primary air velocity ranges from 3 to 7 ms^?1. The bed temperature is maintained at 750°C. The sulphur capture increases with system pressure in the present range of experimental investigations. The sulphur capture also increases with Ca/S ratio up to a certain ratio and then shows a decreasing trend for the given operating conditions. A semi‐empirical model is developed for explaining the sulphur capture mechanism in the pressurized circulating fluidized bed combustor under batch combustion conditions. The experimental data are validated with the model predictions and a reasonable agreement has been observed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical simulation of fuel reactor for a methane-fueled chemical looping combustion using bubbling fluidized bed with internal particle circulation

Chemical-looping combustion (CLC) is recognized as a promising technique to efficiently and economically capture emitted carbon dioxide in common combustion processes. In this study, the bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) fuel reactor performance of the CLC system was examined through numerical simulation. The reduction reaction performance obtained from conventional BFB fuel reactor and BFB fuel reactor incorporated with internal particle circulation denoted as internal circulation bubbling fluidized bed reactor (ICBFB), were compared under the same fuel flow rate and operating conditions. By using CH₄ as fuel and ilmenite as the oxygen carrier, it was found the reduction reaction can be enhanced by using the ICBFB fuel reactor due to particle circulation. The particle circulation increased the mixing and contact time between fuel and oxygen carrier that produced reduction reaction enhancement. Moreover, the simulation results indicated that higher reduction reaction performance can be achieved by higher reduction reaction temperature and initial oxygen carrier volume fraction.     

Effect of the blend ratio on the co-gasification of biomass and coal in a bubbling fluidized bed with CFD-DEM

Computational Fluid Dynamics-Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) is employed to describe the co-gasification of biomass and coal in bubbling fluidized bed coupled with chemical reaction kinetic model. Six sets of simulations are set up to study the effect of blend ratio on the amount of gasification products compared with experiments. The calorific value of syngas, carbon conversion efficiency, hydrogen conversion efficiency and cold gas efficiency are calculated. Compared with the separate gasification, the hydrogen efficiency and cold gas efficiency in the co-gasification are enhanced. When biomass accounts for 75%, the contents of CO gas and CO₂ gas are the lowest, while the contents of H₂ gas and CH₄ gas are the highest. The high calorific value, carbon conversion efficiency and hydrogen conversion efficiency reach the maximum under this blend ratio. The cold gas efficiency is not obviously affected by the blend ratio, and reaches the maximum when the biomass content is 50%.