Bubble properties and pressure fluctuations in bubble columns

The effects of gas (0.02-0.1 m/s) and liquid velocities (0.0-0.10 m/s) on the bubble properties and pressure fluctuations have been determined in a 0.376 m-IDx 2.1 m-high bubble column. The pressure fluctuations have been analyzed by resorting to the Fractal analysis; the time series of pressure fluctuation signals have been analyzed by means of the Rescaled range analysis and the Hurst exponent has been obtained. The bubble chord length and its rising velocity increase but the Hurst exponent decreases with increasing gas velocity. Whereas, the bubble chord length decreases, but the Hurst exponent increases with an increase in liquid velocity in the continuous bubble column (U_L>0.02 m/s). The Hurst exponent has been found to have a definite relationship with the bubble chord length and its standard deviation.     

Characterization of gas fluidized beds of group C,A and B particles based on pressure fluctuations

Pressure fluctuation data were obtained with a quick response transducer at a sampling frequency of 100 Hz for periods of 100 s (i.e. 10,000 points) in order to characterize the gas-solid flow behaviour of fluidized beds of six powders. For beds of Geldart group B and group A particles, the occurrence and movement of bubbles caused vigourous pressure fluctuations of relatively large scale and weak dominant frequency. For beds of group C particles, on the other hand, pressure fluctuations were significantly smaller in scale and exhibited large dominant frequencies, with no clear formation of bubbles. The standard deviation of pressure fluctuations was markedly higher for the group A particles than for the group C powders. Group C particles could be characterized by gas voids and channels which exhibit periodic behavior, while beds of group A and B particles behaved in a less periodic manner and were dominated by more random and intensive bubble motion. Chaotic time series analysis was carried out for the six different species of particles. The Hurst exponent demonstrated differences between the three different powder groups. The two-phase character of gas-solids flow was more distinguishable for the group B and A powders than for the group C powders.     

Effects of Chaotic Temperature Fluctuations on the Heat Transfer Coefficient in Liquid‐Liquid‐Solid Fluidized Beds

The effect of chaotic temperature fluctuations on the immersed heater‐to‐bed heat transfer coefficient (h) are investigated in a liquid‐liquid‐solid fluidized bed (0.152 m ID × 2.5 m in height). The time series of temperature fluctuations are measured and analyzed by means of the multidimensional phase space portraits and Kolmogorov entropy (K), in order to characterize the chaotic behavior of heat transfer coefficient fluctuations in the bed. The overall heat transfer coefficient is inversely proportional to the Kolmogorov entropy of temperature fluctuations, as well as the fluctuation range of heat transfer coefficient (Δh_i). The Kolmogorov entropy and fluctuation range of the heat transfer coefficient (Δh_i) increase with increasing dispersed phase velocity, but decrease with increasing particle size. However, they attain their minima with variation of the continuous phase velocity as well as the bed porosity, at which point the flow regime of particles in the beds changes. The overall heat transfer coefficient is directly correlated with the Kolmogorov entropy, as well as the fluctuation range of heat transfer coefficient.     

Liquid Radial Dispersion in Liquid-solid Circulating Fluidized Beds with Viscous Liquid Medium

Liquid dispersion in the radial direction was investigated in the riser of a viscous liquid-solid fluidized bed 0.102 m in diameter and 3.5 m in height. Pressure fluctuations in the riser were also measured and analyzed to examine the behavior of fluidized particles. Effects of liquid velocity (0.15-0.45 m/s), solid circulation rate (2-8 kg/m²s), particle size (1-3 mm), and liquid viscosity (0.96-38 mPas) on pressure fluctuations and the liquid radial dispersion coefficient were determined. The infinite space model was employed to obtain the radial dispersion coefficient from the radial concentration profiles of the tracer. The pressure fluctuations were analyzed by means of autocorrelation coefficient as well as power spectral density function. The dominant frequency obtained from the autocorrelation coefficient or power spectral density function of pressure fluctuations decreases with increasing liquid viscosity or liquid velocity, but it increases with increasing particle size. The liquid radial dispersion coefficient decreases with increasing liquid velocity or viscosity, but it increases as the solid circulation rate or particle size increases. The liquid radial dispersion coefficient is related closely to the resultant behavior of fluidized particles. The radial dispersion coefficient has been well correlated with operating variables in terms of dimensionless groups.     

An analysis of pressure drop fluctuation in a circulating fluidized bed

The characteristics of pressure drop fluctuation in a 5.0 cm I.D.×250cm high circulating fluidized bed with fine polymer particles of PE and PVC were investigated. The measurements of time series of the pressure drop were carried out along the three different axial locations. To determine the effects of coarse particles and relative humidity of air on the flow behavior of polymer powders-air suspension in the riser, we employed deterministic chaos analysis of the Hurst exponent, correlation dimension and phase space trajectories as well as classical methods such as standard deviation, probability density function of pressure drop fluctuation. From a statistical and chaos analysis of pressure fluctuations, the upper dilute region was found to be much more homogenous flow compared to that in the bottom dense region at the same operating conditions. It was also found that the addition of coarse particles and higher humidity of air reduced the pressure fluctuations, thus enhancing flow stability in the riser. The analysis of pressure fluctuations by statistical and chaos theory gave qualitative and the quantitative information of flow behavior in the circulating fluidized bed.     

Particle dispersion in viscous three-phase inverse fluidized beds

Dispersion characteristics of low density fluidized particles such as polyethylene and polypropylene were investigated by using the stochastic method in three-phase inverse fluidized beds with viscous liquid medium ( in height). To establish the relationship between the pressure drop variation and the particle dispersion in test section, the histogram of pressure drop fluctuations were also measured and analyzed. Effects of operating variables such as gas and liquid velocities, liquid viscosity and media particle kind (density) on the fluctuating frequency, dispersion coefficient and exiting rate of media particles from the test section were determined. The fluctuating frequency and dispersion coefficient of particles increased with increasing gas or liquid velocity, but decreased considerably with increasing liquid viscosity in three-phase inverse fluidized beds. The dispersion coefficient of media particles of relatively higher density exhibited a value higher than that of lower density particles. The dispersion coefficients of particles were well correlated with operating variables in terms of dimensionless groups.     

SHANNON ENTROPY ANALYSIS OF DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF GELDART GROUP B AND GELDART GROUP D PARTICLES IN A FLUIDIZED BED

Pressure fluctuations resulting from the nonuniform flow behavior of solid particles in a fluidized bed (0.06 m ID × 5.0 m in height) were analyzed using the Shannon entropy analysis method. Particles representing Geldart group B and group D types were employed in the experiments. Results show that with the increase of the superficial gas velocity, transitions between bubbling fluidization, turbulent fluidization, and fast fluidization were effectively detected based on the Shannon entropy of pressure fluctuations in the bed. Meanwhile, a higher static bed height resulted in a larger value of Shannon entropy due to the wall effect of smaller diameter column and the greater resistance to bubble formation affected by the increased weight of the bed. Comparison of the particle types indicated that despite the different details of their behavior, the overall trends were similar.     

Liquid Radial Dispersion in Liquid-solid Circulating Fluidized Beds with Viscous Liquid Medium

Liquid dispersion in the radial direction was investigated in the riser of a viscous liquid-solid fluidized bed 0.102 m in diameter and 3.5 m in height. Pressure fluctuations in the riser were also measured and analyzed to examine the behavior of fluidized particles. Effects of liquid velocity (0.15–0.45 m/s), solid circulation rate (2–8 kg/m²s), particle size (1–3 mm), and liquid viscosity (0.96–38 mPas) on pressure fluctuations and the liquid radial dispersion coefficient were determined. The infinite space model was employed to obtain the radial dispersion coefficient from the radial concentration profiles of the tracer. The pressure fluctuations were analyzed by means of autocorrelation coefficient as well as power spectral density function. The dominant frequency obtained from the autocorrelation coefficient or power spectral density function of pressure fluctuations decreases with increasing liquid viscosity or liquid velocity, but it increases with increasing particle size. The liquid radial dispersion coefficient decreases with increasing liquid velocity or viscosity, but it increases as the solid circulation rate or particle size increases. The liquid radial dispersion coefficient is related closely to the resultant behavior of fluidized particles. The radial dispersion coefficient has been well correlated with operating variables in terms of dimensionless groups.     

A critical review of the complex pressure fluctuation phenomenon in gas-solids fluidized beds

The complex pressure fluctuation phenomenon in gas-solid fluidized beds is systematically examined in this paper based on a comprehensive review of the literature data. The local pressure fluctuations are composed of multiple sources, including local bubble induced fluctuations, global bed oscillations and propagating pressure waves originating in other locations (e.g. bed surface, distributor and windbox). The interaction and coupling among bubble motion, under-damped oscillations of fluidized particles and bed surface, propagating compressible pressure waves and flow pulsation in gas-solid fluidized beds creates the complexity of local pressure fluctuations, and is likely responsible for the formation of complex but unique flow patterns. A few attempts have been reported in the literature on examining the interaction between bed oscillations, plenum chamber air pulsation and propagating pressure waves in fluidized beds, showing some promises on predicting the local pressure fluctuations. Future work should be focused on predicting local and global pressure fluctuations and the formation of unique surface flow patterns by coupling different contributing mechanisms.     

DISPERSION AND FLUCTUATION OF FLUIDIZED PARTICLES IN A LIQUID-SOLID FLUIDIZED BED

Axial dispersion coefficient and fluctuating frequency of fluidized particles have been determined in a liquid-solid fluidized bed by resorting to the relaxation method from the histograms of pressure fluctuation in the bed. Dependence of the axial dispersion coefficient and fluctuating frequency of fluidized particles on the liquid flow rate and particle size, and further on the bed porosity has been discussed. The axial dispersion coefficient and fluctuating frequency of particles have attained their maxima with increasing liquid flow rate and bed porosity, and those values increase with an increase in particle size under fully fluidized concitions. It also has been found that the axial dispersion coefficient shows its maximum at the liquid flow rate where the fluctuating frequency of particles reaches its maximum point.     

流化床压力波动多尺度多分形特征

对流化床不同测量位置的压力波动信号用Daubechies二阶小波在1~9尺度下进行分解,并分别对分解的信号进行R/S分析。研究发现,分解的信号可由多尺度方法得到较好的理解。1、2尺度下的细节信号只有一个明显的Hurst指数H,且H<0.5,表现为反持久性的更随机的特征,说明1、2尺度下的细节信号主要反映了气流与颗粒之间的微尺度作用。3~9尺度下的细节信号都具有两个Hurst指数H,分别大于0.5和小于0.5,表现为多分形特征,H>0.5代表了具有正持久性的气泡相的运动; H<0.5代表了具有反持久性的乳化相的运动,说明3~9尺度的细节信号反映了介尺度作用的乳化相和气泡相的相互作用。而9尺度下的概貌信号只有一个Hurst指数H,且H>0.5,表现为正持久性,说明9尺度下的概貌信号主要反映了颗粒流体系统与外界边界之间的宏尺度作用。各尺度信号的能量分布表明,压力波动信号主要体现了介尺度的乳化相和气泡相之间的相互作用。     

Wall-to-bed heat transfer coefficient in gas—liquid—solid fluidized beds

Wall to bed heat transfer has been studied in three-phase fluidized beds with a cocurrent up-flow of water and air. Six sizes of glass beads, two sizes of activated carbon beads and one size of alumina beads, varying in average diameter from 0.61 to 6.9 mm and in density from 1330 to 3550 kg/m³, were fluidized in a 95.6 mm diameter brass column heated by a steam jacket. Complementary heat transfer experiments have been performed also for a gas–liquid cocurrent column and liquid–solid fluidized beds. The wall-to-bed coefficient for heat transfer in the gas–liquid–solid fluidized bed is evaluated on the basis of the axial dispersion model concept. The ratio of the wall-to-bed heat transfer coefficient in the gas–liquid–solid fluidized bed to that in the liquid–solid fluidized bed operated at the same liquid flow rate is correlated in terms of the ratio of the velocity of gas to that of liquid and the properties of solid particles. A correlation equation for estimating the wall-to-bed heat transfer coefficient in the liquid–solid fluidized bed is also developed.     

Characterization of dynamic behavior of a spout-fluid bed with Shannon entropy analysis

Differential pressure fluctuation time series were obtained at different locations in a two-dimensional spout-fluid bed with a cross section of 300 × 30 mm and height 2000 mm. Shannon entropy analysis of differential pressure fluctuations was developed to characterize the dynamic behavior. Effects of two important operating parameters (spouting gas velocity and fluidizing gas flow rate) on the Shannon entropy were examined. It was demonstrated that a spout-fluid bed at a high spouting gas velocity or fluidizing gas flow rate was a deterministic chaos system since the Shannon entropies at all bed locations increased sharply and asymmetric unstable flows occurred. Shannon entropies were found to be significantly different at various bed locations. Shannon entropies of different flow regimes were distinct, so they were used to identify the flow regimes. The results show that the Shannon entropy helps to grasp the complex characteristics of dynamic behavior in spout-fluid beds.     

Friction on a solid sphere exposed to gas–liquid and gas–liquid–solid flow in bubble column and fluidized bed reactors

Local velocity gradients on a solid spherical surface have been studied in a bubble column and in two- and three-phase fluidized beds, in order to clarify the influence of gas flow. The electrochemical method, measuring apparent local mass transfer coefficients, was verified and used to obtain the local velocity gradients, shear stresses and total frictional forces. The observed mass transfer rate was independent of liquid velocity, owing to a non-changing flow structure around the particles and not to averaging opposing effects. The identity in flow structure also held for three-phase fluidized beds up to a superficial gas velocity of 5 cm s^?1. The dramatic increase in velocity gradient on gas introduction was not a result of decreased homogenous density, but was caused by a change in the turbulent structure around a particle, leaving a larger portion of the total drag as frictional drag, thus improving the mass transfer characteristics of the bed. Use of velocity gradient measurements, including span of fluctuations and exposure time, to predict biomass growth and mechanical degradation in a reactor is also discussed.     

Minimum fluidization velocity in gas‐liquid‐solid minifluidized beds

The initial fluidization characteristics of gas‐liquid‐solid minifluidized beds (MFBs) were experimentally investigated based on the analyses of bed pressure drop and visual observations. The results show that U_Lmf in 3–5 mm MFBs can not be determined due to the extensive pressure drop fluctuations resulting from complex bubble behavior. For 8–10 mm MFBs, U_Lmf can be confirmed from both datum analyses of pressure drop and Hurst exponent at low superficial gas velocity. But at high superficial gas velocity, U_Lmf was not obtained because the turning point at which the flow regime changes from the packed bed to the fluidized bed disappeared, and the bed was in a half fluidization state. Complex bubble growth behavior resulting from the effect of properties of gas‐liquid mixture and bed walls plays an important role in the fluidization of solid particles and leads to the reduction of U_Lmf. An empirical correlation was suggested to predict U_Lmf in MFBs. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 1940–1957, 2016     

Experimental and computational study of the bed dynamics of semi‐cylindrical gas–solid fluidized bed

With computational fluid dynamics (CFD) it is possible to get a detailed view of the flow behaviour of the fluidized beds. A profound and fundamental understanding of bed dynamics such as bed pressure drop, bed expansion ratio, bed fluctuation ratio, and minimum fluidization velocity of homogeneous binary mixtures has been made in a semi‐cylindrical fluidized column for gas–solid systems, resulting in a predictive model for fluidized beds. In the present work attempt has been made to study the effect of different system parameters (viz., size and density of the bed materials and initial static bed height) on the bed dynamics. The correlations for the bed expansion and bed fluctuations have been developed on the basis of dimensional analysis using these system parameters. Computational study has also been carried out using a commercial CFD package Fluent (Fluent, Inc.). A multifluid Eulerian model incorporating the kinetic theory for solid particles was applied in order to simulate the gas–solid flow. CFD simulated bed pressure drop has been compared with the experimental bed pressure drops under different conditions for which the results show good agreements.     

基于分形和模糊技术的气固流化床流型辨识

提出一种基于分形和模糊技术的气固流化床流型辨识的新方法,将分形技术应用在气固流化床压力波动信号的分析中,提取出信号特征值Hurst指数,同时结合模糊识别,建立模糊识别函数,由此来区分气固流化床的不同流型。初步研究表明,基于分形和模糊识别的流型辨识能够达到较高的正确率。     

RADIAL DISPERSION AND BUBBLE CHARACTERISTICS IN THREE-PHASE FLUIDIZED BEDS

The effects of gas and liquid velocities, liquid viscosity and particle size on the radial dispersion coefficient of liquid phase (D_r) and the bubble properties in three-phase fluidized beds have been determined. A new flow regime map based on the drift flux theory in three-phase fluidized beds has been proposed.

In three-phase fluidized beds, D, increases with increasing gas velocity in the bubble coalescing and in the slug flow regimes, but it decreases in the bubble disintegrating regime. The coefficient exhibits a maximum value in the bed of small particles with increasing liquid velocity at lower gas velocities. However, it increases with increasing liquid velocity at higher gas velocities. In two and three-phase fluidized beds of larger particles (6,8 mm), D_r exhibits a maximum value with an increase in liquid viscosity at lower gas velocities, but it increases at higher gas velocities. The mean bubble chord length and its rising velocity increase with increasing gas velocity and liquid viscosity. However, the bubble chord length decreases with an increase in liquid velocity and it exhibits a maximum value with increasing particle size in the bed. The radial dispersion coefficients in the bubble coalescing and disintegrating regimes of three-phase fluidized beds in terms of the Peclet number in the present and previous studies have been well represented by the correlations based on the concept of isotropic turbulence theory.     

受网络夹点控制的装置的改造分析

本文分析了过程夹点和网络夹点的不同,指出了在改造过程中存在网络夹点,并且节能潜力受网络夹点的控制,同时提出了克服网络夹点的途径,即分流和调整换热网络结构。通过对某炼油厂润滑油加氢补充精制装置的分析。提出了不分流时克服网络夹点的方法,即同一温闰的冷流体按热溶流率CP值减小依次被加热;同一温位的热流体按CP值减小依次被冷却。最后,文章对该装置提出了采用“一改动方案”的改造方案,节能效果和经济效益显著。     

气固流化床中信息熵的实验研究

在Shannon信息理论中的信息熵与互信息概念基础上,定义了信息传输率,用以重构相空间中研究从气固流化床内不同测量点的压力脉动时间序列之间的关联。实验结果证明了流化床内不同点之间存在着、三维的信息传输关系,提出了信息是通过床内粒子的扰动传输的,并由实验数据给出了这种压力脉动信息传输的平均速率及其随气速的变化规律。