Agglomerate Sizes of Binary Nanoparticle Mixtures in a Vibro‐Fluidized Bed

Agglomerate size is one of the key factors influencing the fluidization behavior of nanoparticles. The effect of fluidization time, superficial gas velocity, and vibration frequency on agglomerate sizes for different binary mixtures of nanoparticles at the top of the bed was investigated in a vibrated fluidized bed (VFB). The agglomerate sizes decreased and fluidization quality was significantly enhanced owing to introduction of vibration energy. The Richardson‐Zaki equation combined with Stokes' law permitted the prediction of mean agglomerate sizes. Experimental and estimated results indicated that vibration led to a smaller agglomerate size. The mean predicted agglomerate sizes were in agreement with those determined experimentally in the VFB.     

细颗粒振动流态化行为的二维床观察

本文利用一种新型复合振动充化装置，使在一般操作条件下无法实现正常流化的细颗粒床层处于良好的流化状态。通过观察发现，振动的引入可以破坏沟流的存在而使细颗粒流化；其振动流化有三种存在形式，提出了振动流化的物理模型和流化相同，可以解释细颗流化状态与振动条件及其物性的关系。     

Aggregation behavior of nanoparticles in fluidized beds

The fluidization behavior of fumed silica, zirconia, and iron oxide nanopowders was studied at atmospheric and reduced pressures. Using a high-speed laser imaging system, the characteristics of fluidized aggregates of nanoparticles were studied in real time. The effect of different particle interactions such as London-van der Waals, liquid bridging and electrostatic on different fluidization parameters was studied at atmospheric pressure. The reduction of interparticle forces resulted in a reduced aggregate size and minimum fluidization velocity (U_mf) and an increased bed expansion. Nanoparticles were also fluidized at reduced pressure (∼ 16 Pa) with vibration to study the effect of low pressure on the minimum fluidization velocity. Aggregate properties (size, density) instead of primary nanoparticle properties were found to govern the minimum fluidization velocity and expansion of the fluidized bed. An important consideration is the relative strength of intra-aggregate interparticle forces (forces within the aggregate holding nanoparticles together) to inter-aggregate interparticle forces (forces between aggregates). This relative strength may be inferred from the sphericity of the aggregates during fluidization.     

Fundamental particle fluidization behavior and handling of nano-particles in a rotating fluidized bed

The fluidization behavior of the three kinds of nano-particles (TiO₂, SiO₂, Al₂O₃) was analyzed in a rotating fluidized bed (RFB). Bed pressure drop, minimum fluidization velocity, bed expansion, entrainment and particle mixing characteristics under various centrifugal accelerations were experimentally investigated. The effects of centrifugal acceleration on agglomerate size and density were analyzed based on a Richardson-Zaki approach coupled with a fractal model.The bed pressure drop behavior showed almost similar to that of A or B-particles of Geldart's classification. Dimensionless particle bed height became smaller when the centrifugal acceleration was larger. Size of agglomerate decreased and its density increased with an increase in centrifugal acceleration. The agglomerate size in the RFB showed smaller than that in other types of fluidized bed system such as vibration and magnetic field as well as in a conventional fluidized bed, and the agglomerate density became larger. Particle entrainment became smaller in the case of the higher centrifugal acceleration. These results confirmed that the RFB can reduce the size of a nano-particle agglomerate and fluidize nano-particles at high gas velocity without any significant entrainment. The RFB is thus expected as more effective gas-solid fluidization system for handling of a large amount of nano-particles than other types of fluidized bed.     

Nanofluidization as affected by vibration and electrostatic fields

In this paper we investigate the behavior of a fluidized bed of silica nanoparticles under the influence of externally applied vibrations and an electrostatic field. We have observed that the application of these fields separately has opposite effects on bed expansion. On one hand, vertical vibrations enhance bed expansion as the vibration intensity is increased up to a critical value. On the other hand, an electrostatic field applied in the horizontal direction, hinders bed expansion. In previous research papers, it has been suggested that the size of nanoparticle agglomerates could be affected either by vibration or by the action of the electric field. Using the modified Richardson-Zaki method to analyze our experimental data we find that vertical vibration tends to decrease the average agglomerate size in agreement with previous research. However, in this work we look further into the physical mechanisms which affect the response of the fluidized bed. Our results suggest that both vibration and the electric field produce a significant perturbation to the flow of agglomerates within the fluidized bed. Vibration transmits a vertical motion to the agglomerates that enhances bed expansion until the vibration velocity becomes of the order of the expected rising velocity of macroscopic bubbles. At this critical point, bubble growth is stimulated by vibration. A horizontal electrostatic field produces a drift of the charged agglomerates toward the walls that gives rise to fluidization heterogeneity and bed collapse. When both fields are simultaneous applied, these opposed effects can be practically compensated.     

Fluidization Characteristics of SiO2 Nanoparticles in an Acoustic Fluidized

Under the action of an acoustic field, the fluidization behavior of 5–10 nm SiO₂ nanoparticles, with and without surface modification, was investigated. In a packed bed, the sound wave energy has a significant influence on the compact ratio of the bed. Experimental results indicated that the bed of nanoparticle agglomerates can be fluidized smoothly with the assistance of an acoustic field, and the minimum fluidization velocity is initially reduced dramatically with increasing sound frequency and then rises with increasing sound frequency. Under the same experimental conditions, the minimum fluidization velocity of 5–10 nm SiO₂ nanoparticles is greater than that of 5–10 nm SiO₂ nanoparticles with surface modification. The collapse of the bed demonstrates that SiO₂ nanoparticles, surface modified using organic compound, have longer minimum collapse times than SiO₂ nanoparticles.     

AGGLOMERATION BEHAVIOR IN A BUBBLING FLUIDIZED BED AT HIGH TEMPERATURE

Minimum fluidization velocity and agglomeration behavior were investigated at high temperature in an 80?×?30?mm two-dimensional quartz fluidized bed and in an 82?mm i.d. circular fluidized bed. Bed materials tested were two sizes of glass beads as well as three sizes of fluidized bed combustor (FBC) ash. The minimum fluidization velocity decreased with increasing bed temperature, whereas the minimum sintering fluidization velocity increased with the bed temperature. The sintering of glass beads belongs to visco plastic sintering, the first type. FBC ash agglomerate has higher amounts of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Na₂O, K₂O, and SiO₂ than in the original ash, indicating that low melting eutectics were formed and that the liquid phase in a silicate system was formed. The agglomeration of FBC ash belongs to the second type, an excessive quantity of liquid being formed by melting or chemical reaction.     

Application of discrete element method simulation for studying fluidization of nanoparticle agglomerates

The usefulness of discrete element method simulation for studying fluidization of nanoparticle agglomerates is explored. Nanoparticle agglomerates were simulated by using solid particles of equivalent sizes and densities. Validity of the present simulation was assessed through comparisons of simulation results and experimental observations of bed expansion, characteristic fluidization behaviour, and dense‐bed settling. The simulation was then used to investigate initial bed expansion and bed uniformity under particulate fluidization conditions. The role of inter‐agglomerate interparticle force in fluidization of nanoparticle agglomerates was examined. A stability analysis originally developed for addressing the transition from particulate to bubbling fluidization for conventional particles was used for predicting the start of bubbling in fluidized beds of nanoparticle agglomerates.     

A model for estimating agglomerate sizes of non-magnetic nanoparticles in magnetic fluidized beds

The behavior of SiO₂, TiO₂ and ZnO non-magnetic nanoparticles and the effects of processing parameters on agglomerate sizes were investigated systematically in a magnetic fluidized bed (MFB) by adding coarse magnets. A mathematical model is developed based on energy balance among the agglomerate collision energy, magnetic energy, energy generated by turbulent shear and cohesive energy to predict the agglomerate sizes. The results showed that slugging of the bed disappeared and the measured agglomerate sizes decreased, so that the fluidization quality of non-magnetic nanoparticles was significantly improved by adding coarse magnets due to introduction of magnetic field. The average agglomerate sizes predicted by this model are in agreement with the experimental data.     

磷矿颗粒流态化特性的实验研究

在高1 m、内径42mm的流化床中,对粒径54-600 μm、密度2 252-2 665 kg/m3的磷矿颗粒的流态化特性进行实验研究.实验结果表明:磷矿颗粒粒径和密度对磷矿颗粒流态化行为有较大影响,床层膨胀比随着磷矿颗粒粒径的增大而逐渐减小.当磷矿颗粒属于Geldart B类颗粒时,流化较好;而当颗粒平均粒径为82 ...     

气固脉冲流化床流体力学特性的研究

在φ７０ｍｍ的流化床内，采用聚氯乙烯、玻璃珠和不规则天然刚玉等Ｂ类、Ｄ类颗粒，测定了０￣５．０Ｈｚ脉冲频率下气固流化床的基本流体力学特性，探讨了影响床层流化特性的一些主要因素，并根据实验数据对脉冲流化床的临界流化速度和临界流化压降的无因次准数式进行了关联。     

粘性SiC颗粒聚团流态化特性

对不同粒径的°SiC粘性颗粒的流态化实验表明,颗粒粒径对流化性能有较大影响,颗粒粒径越小,颗粒间粘附力越大,其流化性能越差;提出了粘性颗粒自然聚团数Ae_n和流态化聚团数Ae_f,用来表征颗粒的流化性能;指出了应开展粘性颗粒聚团流态化的研究。     

Prediction of minimum fluidization velocity for vibrated fluidized bed

The prediction of minimum fluidization velocity for vibrated fluidized bed was performed. The Geldart group A and C particles were used as the fluidizing particles. The method based on Ergun equation was used to predict the minimum fluidization velocity. The calculated results were compared with the experimental data.The calculated results of minimum fluidization velocity are in good agreement with experimental data for Geldart group A particles. For group C particles, the difference between the calculated results and experimental data is large because of the formation of agglomerates. In this case, the determination of agglomerate diameter is considered to be necessary to predict the minimum fluidization velocity.     

Bubble behavior in corrugated‐wall bubbling fluidized beds—Experiments and CFD simulations

A new concept to harness bubble dynamics in bubbling fluidization of Geldart D particles was proposed. Various geometrical declinations of a cold‐prototype corrugated‐wall bubbling fluidized bed were compared at different flow rates (U_g) to conventional flat‐wall fluidized bed using high‐speed digital image analysis. Hydrodynamic studies were carried out to appraise the effect of triangular‐shaped wall corrugation on incipient fluidization, bubble coalescence (size and frequency), bubble rise velocity, and pressure drop. Bubble size and rise velocity in corrugated‐wall beds were appreciably lower, at given U_g/U_mb, than in flat‐wall beds with equal flow cross‐sectional areas and initial bed heights. The decrease (increase) in size (frequency) of bubbles during their rise was sustained by their periodic breakups while protruding through the necks between corrugated plates. Euler‐Euler transient full three‐dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulations helped shape an understanding of the impact of corrugation geometry on lowering the minimum bubbling fluidization and improving gas distribution. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012     

Critical Bed Height for Solid Circulation in a Compartmented Gas‐Fluidized Bed

The influence of design and operating parameters on minimum upstream bed height required for steady solid circulation across a compartmented gas‐fluidized bed has been studied. The partition plate in the compartmented bed is fitted with two pairs of V‐valve and riser with orifices in them. Silica sand of three different sizes, viz., 490 μm, 325 μm and 250 μm, has been used and the range of the aeration rate tested covers 1–3U_mf through the bed, 5–60U_mf through the V‐valve and 0–60U_mf through the riser. A model incorporating pressure balance across the circulation loop has been developed to analyze the experimental findings. Studies show the existence of a unique critical bed height for a given set of fluidization velocities through the bed, V‐valve, riser and the size of the solids.     

Experimental and theoretical study on the agglomeration arising from fluidization of cohesive particles—effects of mechanical vibration

A novel technique that can prevent the disruption of agglomerates when sampling the agglomerates from a fluidized bed has been developed and has been applied to the investigation of the agglomeration behaviour of cohesive particles during fluidization with and without mechanical vibration. A new model for the prediction of agglomerate size has also been established on the basis of the energy balance between the agglomerate collision energy, the energy due to cohesive forces and the energy generated by vibration. The accuracy of the model is tested by comparing the theoretical results with the experimental data obtained both in the present work and in the literature. Effects of gas velocity and mechanical vibration on agglomeration for two cohesive (Geldart group C) powders in fluidization are examined experimentally and theoretically. The experimental results prove that mechanical vibration can significantly reduce both the average size and the degree of the size-segregation of the agglomerates throughout the whole bed. However, the experiments also reveal that the mean agglomerate size decreases initially with the vibration intensity, but increases gradually as the vibration intensity exceeds a critical value. This suggests that the vibration cannot only facilitate breaking the agglomerates due to the increased agglomerate collision energy but can also favour the growth of the agglomerates due to the enhanced contacting probability between particles and/or agglomerates. Both the experimental and theoretical results show that a higher gas velocity leads to a smaller agglomerate size.     

搅拌流化床中超细氧化铁粉流态化及还原实验研究

在内径50 mm的搅拌流化床内进行了平均粒径239 nm的氧化铁粉的流态化及氢气还原实验. 结果表明,床中氧化铁颗粒以聚团鼓泡形式实现完全流化,最小流化速度为0.025 m/s,最大床层膨胀比为2.0. 在500℃下用氢气还原该氧化铁粉的反应过程为：Fe2O3?Fe3O4?Fe,Fe颗粒的粒径比Fe2O3小,有颗粒烧结现象,由Fe引起的颗粒烧结和粘结作用可能导致失流. 与普通流化床相比,搅拌能使流化时间由3 min延长至15 min,使失流时样品的金属化率由15%提高至76%.     

声场流化床流动特性研究进展

声场流化床是将声场引入普通流化床,采用颗粒为床层介质的流固相处理系统。声波可以有效降低颗粒聚团尺寸,显著改善超细颗粒的流化质量。本文介绍了声场流化床的基本原理以及近年来在基础研究和应用方面取得的进展及成果,综述了声场流化床在流体力学特性、颗粒特性、声场参数、流态化模型、颗粒团聚以及流化质量机理等方面的研究,并对声场流化床目前存在的问题及发展趋势提出了一些建议。     

脉冲气流对烯烃流化床气泡特性的影响

流化床具有良好的传热传质效率,因此广泛应用于煤粉燃烧、气力输送等场合。但是流化床在工作过程中会产生一定的恶性流动,脉冲的振动能量可以有效地提高流化床的传热系数,减少恶性流动现象发生。本文设计、搭建了烯烃流化床实验平台,通入混合脉冲气流。通过改变脉冲气流的相关参数,对静电信号进行功率谱密度函数分析。并基于静电信号估算气泡尺寸,从而获得流化床内气泡行为的变化。实验结果表明,脉冲气流的加入对气泡尺寸有一定的影响。随着脉冲频率的增加,气泡尺寸呈现先减小后增大的趋势,在脉冲频率为0.5Hz左右时气泡尺寸最小。脉冲气流加入后使得气泡尺寸减小,提高了颗粒流化效果,因此烯烃流化床内流化结束后的团聚颗粒质量明显降低。     

细颗粒振动流态化研究进展

概括了细颗粒在振动流化床中的流态化实验研究和理论模型,着重介绍了振动场对细颗粒流化行为的影响,综述了振动场中粘性颗粒的运动,有利流化的振动参数以及聚团尺寸测量和计算的研究现状。