A Comparison of Solids Fluxes in a Pair of Downer and Riser Reactors

A direct comparison on solids flux was enabled by measurements obtained in a pair of riser and downer circulating fluidized bed reactors, of the same diameter, using suction probes. The operating conditions and the axial position were found to affect the solids flux in each reactor in a different manner. The solids flux in the riser were affected to a large degree by the gas velocity, in contrast with the downer where no visible effect was detected from changes in the gas velocity. The axial position has an effect on the shape of the solids flux profiles in the downer, but only small effects were observed in the riser. On the other hand, increases in overall solids flux leads to the increase of local solids flux in both the downer and the riser.     

A Novel Approach for the Determination of Mechanical Stresses in Gas‐Liquid Reactors

A new method for the determination of mechanical stresses in two‐phase reactors is described. The time‐dependent disintegration kinetics of a clay‐floc system are measured with a laser scanning microscope. By describing the flocs employing fractal geometry and by transforming the disintegration kinetics according to a multifractal‐approach for turbulent flow fields, effective stresses can be calculated for bubble columns in two‐phase operation mode by comparison to the mechanical stress in a turbulent single‐phase couette flow. Results are given for stresses measured in a bubble column at different operating conditions.     

A SIMPLE METHOD FOR STUDYING THE KINETICS OF GAS-SOLID REACTIONS IN A FLUIDIZED BED REACTOR

A methodology for studying the kinetics of gas-solid reactions in a fluidized bed reactor is presented. This procedure is based on the analysis of the response of the system (flue gases) when batches of solids of different weight are added to the reactor. The method has been applied to the study of limestone particle calcination. The calcination rate constants obtained are in good agreement with those found in the literature. The method offers the advantage of simplicity and avoids the use of model assumptions or empirical correlations.     

CFD simulation of fluidized bed reactors for polyolefin production – A review

This literature survey focuses on the application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in various aspects of the fluidized bed reactor. Although fluidized bed reactors are used in various industrial applications, this first-of-its-kind review highlights the use of CFD on polyolefin production. It is shown that CFD has been utilized for the following mechanisms of polymerization: governing of bubble formation, electrostatic charge effect, gas–solid flow behavior, particle distribution, solid–gas circulation pattern, bed expansion consequence, mixing and segregation, agglomeration and shear forces. Heat and mass transfer in the reactor modeling using CFD principles has also been taken under consideration. A number of softwares are available to interpret the data of the CFD simulation but only few softwares possess the analytical capability to interpret the complex flow behavior of fluidization. In this review, the popular softwares with their framework and application have been discussed. The advantages and feasibility of applying CFD to olefin polymerization in fluidized beds were deliberated and the prospect of future CFD applications was also discussed.     

Experimental Investigations of Catalytic Partial Oxidation of Methane to Synthesis Gas in Various Types of Fluidized‐Bed Reactors

The partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas over Ni/α‐Al₂O₃ catalysts (1 and 5 wt.‐% Ni loading, 71–160 and 250–355 μm particle diameter) was investigated in different types of fluidized‐bed reactors, i.e., the bubbling fluidized bed (FlB), the spout fluid bed (SFB) and the internally circulating fluidized bed (ICFB). A methane‐to‐oxygen ratio of 2:1 was used in all experiments and the temperature was varied between 700 and 800 °C. Gas velocities and catalyst masses were adjusted to assure a stable and controllable reactor operation. A nearly isothermal operation was established in all reactors. The thermodynamic equilibrium values were achieved in the FlB and SFB reactor whereas in the ICFB reactor slightly lower conversions and selectivities were obtained. Taking the direct scale‐up concept of the ICFB reactor into account, significant higher space‐time yields were obtained in this reactor than in the industrial‐scale bubbling fluidized‐bed reactor. No increase of the space‐time yield in comparison to the FlB was obtained in the SFB reactor.     

Axial Dispersion and Wall Effects in Narrow Fixed Bed Reactors: A Comparative Study Based on RTD and NMR Measurements

Axial dispersion and wall effects in narrow fixed beds with aspect ratios < 10 were investigated, both by classical methods and by NMR imaging. The residence time distribution (RTD) in the center and at the wall was measured, system water/NaCl‐solution as tracer, and subsequently compared with radial velocity profiles based on NMR imaging. The influence of the aspect ratio and Re_p on dispersion and on the degree of non‐uniformity of the velocity profile was studied. The NMR results are consistent with the RTD and also with literature data of numerical simulations. For low aspect ratios, dispersion/wall effects have a strong influence on the reactor behavior, above all, in cases where a low effluent concentration is essential, as proven by breakthrough experiments with the reaction of H₂S with ZnO.