Statistical analysis of the phase holdup characteristics of a gas–liquid–solid fluidized bed

Experiments have been carried out to study the individual phase holdup characteristics in a cocurrent three‐phase fluidized bed. An antenna type modified air sparger has been used in the gas–liquid distributor section, for uniform mixing of the fluids with the gas moving as fine bubbles to the fluidizing section. This arrangement also reduces the pressure drop encountered through a conventional distributor used for the purpose. To overcome the non‐uniformity of flow through the column (i.e., the central region), a distributor plate with 20% open area has been fabricated with concentric circular punched holes of increased diameter from centre to the wall. Model equations have been developed by factorial design analysis for predicting various individual phase holdups.     

Hydrodynamics of a high pressure three‐phase fluidized bed subject to foaming

The effects of pressure and surfactants on the phase holdups and flow regime transition velocities of gas–liquid–solid fluidized beds were investigated. The effect of pressure on the bed phase holdups is significant and more pronounced at larger gas flow rates where pressure has a greater effect on the equilibrium bubble size. The addition of a surfactant leads to an increase in the gas holdup and a lowering of the solids and liquid holdups. The presence of a surfactant with a liquid flow results in shearing of the bubbles across the gas–liquid distributor, limiting the effect of pressure. Finally, for all conditions, gas holdups in the freeboard region were greater than in the bed.     

Measurement of Local Phase Holdups in a Two‐ and Three‐Phase Bubble Column

A new invasive sensing probe for the measurement of local phase holdups in two‐ and three‐phase reactors is described. The local gas and solids holdups in a bubble column with a volume of V = 2 m³ at varying operating conditions (gas velocity, sparger design, solids content and density) are measured by means of differential pressure measurement in combination with either time domain reflectometry or electrical conductivity measurement. The phase distribution profiles at two‐ and three‐phase operating conditions are described. The influence of the sparger design on the shape of these profiles, the influence of the solid phase on the gas distribution, the solids distribution and the gas‐stow effect above the sparger because of a dense particle layer are capable of experimental proof for the first time.     

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.     

浆态床反应器内固体轴向悬浮特征的实验研究

实验研究了浆态床内固体的轴向悬浮特征。为了实现气体均布和优化固体悬浮效果,在浆态床内设置辐射式锐孔气体分布器和内部构件。实验以空气-水-玻璃微珠系统为研究对象,考察了初始固体质量含率(固含率)为0～30%,表观气速1～25 cm/s,液体循环量0～230 L/h对固体浓度均布的影响。从固体轴向分布的均匀性分别比较辐射式锐孔气体分布器和1 mm多孔板气体分布器的性能以及有/无内部构件的性能。结果表明,高表观气速下,辐射式锐孔气体分布器明显优于1 mm多孔板,内部构件明显优于无内部构件。由实验结果得知,该反应器适用于操作气速大于等于10 cm/s,最佳循环量为80～150 L/h,临界悬浮气速为10～12 cm/s,催化剂装填量的增加对临界悬浮气速影响不大。     

Oxygen transfer and hydrodynamics in three-phase inverse fluidized beds

Experiments were performed at ambient temperature and pressure in a 152 mm inner diameter column with air, tap water or 0.5% wt. aqueous ethanol solution, and polypropylene particles. An increase in liquid velocity and solids loading, and the presence of a surfactant reduces the gas velocity required to reach full bed expansion, which is delimited by the gas sparger. With an increase in gas velocity, solids holdups remain constant after full bed expansion, liquid holdups increase to a maximum and then decrease and gas holdups continuously increase. The addition of ethanol greatly increases the gas holdups leading to significant reductions in liquid holdups. The volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient, k_La, increases with increasing gas velocity but does not change significantly with liquid velocity. There are complex interaction effects between solids loading and surfactants as the values of k_La in the aqueous ethanol solution were greater than those in water when particles were present and smaller without particles. k_La data in water were found to be proportional to gas holdup whereas for the ethanol solution this proportionality constant first decreased with increasing gas velocity to eventually stabilize at a value smaller than for water.     

连续内环流三相反应器局部流动特性

在φ200 mm×2500 mm连续内环流三相反应器内,考察了空气 水 玻璃珠体系反应器内局部流动参数随操作条件的变化规律。结果表明,导流筒内截面平均气含率随表观气速的增大而增大,较之气液两相流,在低固含率时,加入固体对气含率影响不明显,而在较高固含率下,气含率有明显降低,但固体再增加时对气含率变化影响不大。在较低表观气速下,进料浆速对导流筒内气含率轴向分布趋势有一定的影响,但在较高表观气速下影响不大,导流筒内的气含率大于环隙内的气含率且随气速增大差别更加明显,浆相连续有利于气相分散并增大环隙内的气含率。导流筒内循环浆速径向分布呈抛物状,中心高、近壁处低,受进料浆速和入口固含率影响都不大。浆相循环强度最低为20,高可达180。固含率轴、径向分布受表观气速和进料浆速的影响,固含率轴、径向分布基本均匀,随进料浆速增加,反应器内固含率降低。     

Axial hydrodynamic studies in a gas-liquid-solid circulating fluidized bed riser

Axial distribution of phase holdups was studied in the riser of a gas-liquid-solid circulating fluidized bed (GLSCFB). The effects of gas and liquid superficial velocities as well as solids circulation rate on radial distribution of phase holdups at different axial locations were investigated. Electrical resistance tomography (ERT) and optical fiber probe were employed online in the experiments for a precise determination of phase holdups. An empirical model was developed for the determination of gas bubbles in analysis of data obtained by fiber optic sensor. Gas holdup was higher at the central region of the riser and increased axially due to coalescence of small bubbles and decrease of hydrostatic pressure at higher levels in the riser. This led to an increase in solids holdup in regions close to the wall which was slightly higher than the solids holdup at the wall. Both solids and liquid holdups were lower in the central region and increased radially towards the wall. Gas holdup decreased with increasing solids circulation rate but opposite trend was observed for solids holdup. Solids circulation rate had negligible effect on liquid holdup at lower axial locations compared to top of the riser. Cross-sectional average of solids, gas and liquid holdups did not change significantly at higher liquid superficial velocities.     

SOLIDS DISTRIBUTION IN A BATCH BUBBLE COLUMN

This paper presents some new experimental data for axial solid distribution in batch slurry reactors. The effects of liquid and solid properties on the solid dispersion behavior in 0.076 m and 0.305 m diameter slurry bubble columns are outlined. The effects of gas distributor, column internals and particle size distribution on the solids concentation profiles are also examined. Critical gas velocity for complete suspension of solids are measured and compared with those predicted from the available literature correlations. It is shown that when the particles are completely suspended, the Peclet number obtained from the sedimentation-dispersion model depends very significantly on the assumed boundary conditions. The effect of gas velocity on the particle Peclet number depends on the nature of the liquid-solid system.     

鼓泡床内气体分布器设计及其对水力学的影响

本文比较了目前常用的几种分布器，通过照像法观察了三种分布器（单孔板、多孔板和烧结金属板）上的气泡形成过程，然后测定了这三种分布器的于板压降和湿板压降，并就它们对水力学条件的影响进行了考察。其结果对鼓泡床内分布器的设计具有一定的参考价值。     

Use of ultrasound for phase holdup measurements in multiphase systems

This study evaluates ultrasound as a non‐invasive technique for determining the cross‐sectional holdups of multiphase systems. Experiments are performed in a column of 292 mm inner diameter with air, water and uniform glass beads of 1.3 mm diameter as the particles. In a bubble column, the signal intensity decayed exponentially with increasing gas holdup. In a liquid–solid fluidized bed, the wave time‐of‐flight decreased linearly when the solids holdup increased from 25% to 60% (fixed bed), while the signal intensity increased. Signal attenuation limits the use of this method for three‐phase fluidized beds. When large particles (mm range) are used, it is difficult to operate at a wavelength that permits transmission through both dispersed phases. For three‐phase systems, slurry bubble columns with low dispersed phases holdups and smaller particles present a less attenuative media and are better suited to this technique.     

EFFECT OF OPERATING CONDITIONS ON GAS HOLDUP IN SLURRY BUBBLE COLUMNS WITH A FOAMING LIQUID

This work presents experimental data on gas holdup in slurry bubble columns with a foaming liquid. The effects of solids concentration, solid particle size, superficial phase velocities and column dimensions on the gas holdup are analyzed. At low superficial gas velocities (less than 4cm/s), for which the liquid does not foam, the presence of solids with small particle size does not affect the gas holdup whereas solids with large particle size induce foam formation and thus their presence increases the gas holdup. In the foaming regime, an increase of solids concentration decreases the gas holdup. The operating mode has a strong effect on the gas holdup: the semi-batch operating mode (stagnant liquid-solid suspension) increases the ability of the liquid to foam with respect to the continuous mode. Regarding the effect of column dimensions, the results presented show that the height of the bubble column does not affect at an appreciable extent the gas holdup in the range 6 < LID < 12. At high gas velocities (greater than 6 cm/s) the gas holdups obtained in a 30 cm-internal diameter column are the same as those measured in a 10 cm-internal diameter column.     

气液固三相循环流态化

<正>由于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越来越广泛的应用,近年来对传统的三相流化床进行了大量的基础研究并取得了很大进展。以往的研究大部分是针对低液速(u_l相似文献   

Bubble characteristics in shallow bubble column reactors

The bubble characteristics have been investigated in an air–water bubble column with shallow bed heights. The effect of bed height, location and the presence of solids on the bubble size, bubble rise velocity and overall and sectional gas holdup are studied over a range of superficial gas velocities. Optimal shallow bed operation relies on the combined entrance and exit effects at the distributor and the liquid bed surface. The gas holdup is found to decrease with an increase in H/D ratio but the effect is diminishing at high H/D ratios. A H/D ratio of 2–4 is found to be suitable for shallow bed operation. The presence of solids causes the formation of larger bubbles at the distributor and the effect is diminishing as the gas velocity is increased.     

Effect of a dispersed immiscible liquid phase on the hydrodynamics of a bubble column and ebullated bed

Secondary undesired reactions in ebullated bed resid hydroprocessors can generate an additional dispersed liquid phase, referred as mesophase, which is denser and more viscous than the continuous liquid phase and affects the operation and transport phenomena of the fluidized bed. This study investigates the effect of a dispersed immiscible liquid phase on the overall phase holdups, bubble properties, and fluidization behavior in a bubble column and ebullated bed. The experimental system consisted of biodiesel as the continuous liquid phase, glycerol as the dispersed liquid phase, 1.3 mm diameter glass beads, and nitrogen. The addition of dispersed glycerol reduced the gas holdups in the bubble column for the studied gas and liquid superficial velocities. Dynamic gas disengagement profiles reveal a rise in the large bubble population and reductions to the small and micro bubble holdups when increasing the glycerol concentration. Liquid–liquid–solid bed expansions at various liquid flowrates confirm particle agglomeration in the presence of a more viscous dispersed liquid phase. Overall phase holdups in a gas–liquid–liquid–solid ebullated bed were obtained while varying the gas and liquid flowrates as well as the glycerol concentration. A coalesced bubble flow regime was observed in the bed region without glycerol whereas the addition of glycerol resulted in the dispersed bubble flow regime due to particle clustering and a greater apparent particle size. The resulting bubble flow regime increased the bed and freeboard region gas holdups due to enhanced bubble break-up. Observations of the fluidized bed behavior following the addition of the dispersed glycerol are also discussed.     

A novel three‐phase airlift reactor without circulation of solids

A novel configuration of a three‐phase internal loop airlift reactor is proposed. The draft is divided in two sections: (top) gas–liquid contact section; (bottom) liquid–solid contact section. Solids particles are fluidized in the bottom section by liquid circulation. The main advantage compared with classic airlift or three‐phase fluidized bed is the reduced stress on particles as interference with bubbles is prevented. Experiments with silica sand (325 µm diameter) were carried out to characterise the hydrodynamics of the airlift. The influence of superficial gas velocity, overall solids hold‐up and sparger height were assessed. A theoretical analysis was proposed to derive simple design criteria.     

Hydrodynamics of an annulus airlift reactor

The hydrodynamics of an annulus airlift reactor (AALR) was studied and compared with that of a slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR) with silica sands of 75-125 μm in size as solids, city tapping water as liquid phase, and air as gas phase in the present investigation. The effects of superficial gas velocity and solids concentration on gas holdup and solids distributions were investigated. The results showed that the local average gas holdup decreased along the column height, and the average gas holdup decreased with the increasing solids concentration, but this tendency became less at higher solids concentrations. It was found that the effect of superficial gas velocity on axial solids distribution was negligible over the gas velocity range investigated, as long as the solids in the column could be suspended. Increasing solids concentration led to flatter axial solids holdup profiles. The axial distributions of solids concentration and gas holdup in the AALR were much more uniform than those in the SBCR, and slurry circulation in the AALR damped the effects of increasing solids concentration on the hydrodynamics. These advantages of an AALR over a SBCR are especially important for some catalytic reaction processes in three-phase systems such as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and methanol synthesis.     

气-液-固三相逆流化床动力学研究

在内径0.152 m,高2.5 m的气-液-固三相逆流化床中系统研究了动力学特性。获得了气体和液体速度及聚乙烯和聚丙烯颗粒密度对各相含率和最小液体流化速度的影响规律。研究发现随着气体速度的增加,液体最小流化速度降低;随着气体或液体速度增加,气体、液体和固体含率均增加。     

Prediction of bed pressure drop and top packed bed formation in gas-liquid-solid semi-fluidized bed with irregular homogeneous binary mixtures

We studied the hydrodynamics of a gas-liquid-solid semi-fluidized bed relating to packed bed formation and bed pressure drop with irregular homogeneous binary mixtures in a 0.05 m internal diameter Perspex column, with water and air (secondary) as fluidizing medium at constant static bed height of 0.08 m. A homogeneous binary mixture has been taken for easy formation of a semi-fluidized bed. Air is supplied centrally below the bottom grid in radial direction with a special design air sparger after the bed is first fluidized by the liquid. Experimental parameters studied included superficial gas and liquid velocities, average particle size and density and the bed expansion ratio. Empirical and semi-empirical models were developed. The calculated values from predicted models were compared with the experimental values and fairly good agreement was obtained.     

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。