Comparative analysis on gas–solid drag models in MFIX-DEM simulations of bubbling fluidized bed

In this study,the open-source software MFIX-DEM simulations of a bubbling fluidized bed(BFB)are applied to assess nine drag models according to experimental and direct numerical simulation(DNS)results.The influence of superficial gas velocity on gas–solid flow is also examined.The results show that according to the distribution of time-averaged particle axial velocity in y direction,except for Wen–Yu and Tenneti–Garg–Subramaniam(TGS),other drag models are consistent with the experimental and DNS results.For the TGS drag model,the layer-by-layer movement of particles is observed,which indicates the particle velocity is not correctly predicted.The time domain and frequency domain analysis results of pressure drop of each drag model are similar.It is recommended to use the drag model derived from DNS or fine grid computational fluid dynamics–discrete element method(CFD-DEM)data first for CFD-DEM simulations.For the investigated BFB,the superficial gas velocity less than 0.9 m·s^(-1) should be adopted to obtain normal hydrodynamics.

Applicability of Markov chain-based stochastic model for bubbling fluidized beds

A Markov chain-based stochastic model （MCM） is developed to simulate the movement of particles in a 2D bubbling fluidized bed （BFB）. The state spaces are determined by the discretized physical cells of the bed, and the transition probability matrix is directly calculated by the results of a discrete element method （DEM） simulation. The Markov property of the BFB is discussed by the comparison results calculated from both static and dynamic transition probability matrices. The static matrix is calculated based on the Markov chain while the dynamic matrix is calculated based on the memory property of the particle movement. Results show that the difference in the trends of particle movement between the static and dynamic matrix calculation is very small. Besides, the particle mixing curves of the MCM and DEM have the same trend and similar numerical values, and the details show the time averaged characteristic of the MCM and also expose its shortcoming in describing the instantaneous particle dynamics in the BFB.

CFD simulation of bubbling and collapsing characteristics in a gas-solid fluidized bed

Computational Fluid Dynamics （CFD） has become an alternative method to experiments for understanding the fluid dynamics of multiphase flow. A two-fluid model, which contains additional terms in both the gas- and solid-phase momentum equations, is used to investigate the fluidization quality in a fluidized bed. A case study for quartz sand with a density of 2,660 kg/m^3 and a diameter of 500 μm, whose physical property is similar to a new kind of catalyst for producing clean fuels through the residue fluid catalytic cracking process, is simulated in a two-dimensional fluidized bed with 0.57 m width and 1.00 m height. Transient bubbling and collapsing characteristics are numerically investigated in the platform of CFX 4.4 by integrating user-defined Fortran subroutines. The results show that the fluidization and collapse process is in fair agreement with the classical theory of Geldart B classification, but the collapse time is affected by bubbles at the interface between the dense phase and freeboard.

Computational study of bubble coalescence/break-up behaviors and bubble size distribution in a 3-D pressurized bubbling gas-solid fluidized bed of Geldart A particles

A computational study was carried out on bubble dynamic behaviors and bubble size distributions in a pressurized lab-scale gas-solid fluidized bed of Geldart A particles.High-resolution 3-D numerical simulations were performed using the two-fluid model based on the kinetic theory of granular flow.A finegrid,which is in the range of 3–4 particle diameters,was utilized in order to capture bubble structures explicitly without breaking down the continuum assumption for the solid phase.A novel bubble tracking scheme was developed in combination with a 3-D detection and tracking algorithm(MS3 DATA)and applied to detect the bubble statistics,such as bubble size,location in each time frame and relative position between two adjacent time frames,from numerical simulations.The spatial coordinates and corresponding void fraction data were sampled at 100 Hz for data analyzing.The bubble coalescence/break-up frequencies and the daughter bubble size distribution were evaluated by using the new bubble tracking algorithm.The results showed that the bubble size distributed non-uniformly over cross-sections in the bed.The equilibrium bubble diameter due to bubble break-up and coalescence dynamics can be obtained,and the bubble rise velocity follows Davidson’s correlation closely.Good agreements were obtained between the computed results and that predicted by using the bubble break-up model proposed in our previous work.The computational bubble tracking method showed the potential of analyzing bubble motions and the coalescence and break-up characteristics based on time series data sets of void fraction maps obtained numerically and experimentally.

Investigation into the operation of an autothermal two-section subbituminous coal fluidized bed gasifier

Using a newly developed experimental setup,the features and advantages of an autothermal single-casing atmospheric sub-bituminous coal fluidized bed air-blown gasifier,combining a combustion and gasification section,and mixing the dispersed phase(inert material,char)and heat exchange between them through an annular transfer device,have been revealed.To increase the efficiency of the gasifier,an experimental-computational method was developed find the conditions for optimal operation,combining changing the annular flow's geometry and regulating the primary air for gasification.A simple and reliable multizone thermodynamic calculation model makes it possible to predict the composition of char and syngas in the gasification section with acceptable accuracy.This method confirmed that a two-section fluidized bed gasifier can provide efficient gasification of solid fuels and is suitable for use in small-scale cogeneration plants.Syngas with a heating value of 3.6-4.5 MJ/m^(3)and CGE of 38.2%-42.3%was obtained in the experimental setup without optimizing the primary air flow rate.With optimization,the indicators increased to the heating value of syngas of 5.20-5.34 MJ/m^(3)and CGE of 42.5%-50.0%.With heat regeneration of 0.8,CGE increases to 70%.

Numerical simulation and experimental verification of bubble size distribution in an air dense medium fluidized bed

Bubble size distribution is the basic apparent performance and obvious characteristics in the air dense medium fluidized bed (ADMFB). The approaches of numerical simulation and experimental verification were combined to conduct the further research on the bubble generation and movement behavior. The results show that ADMFB could display favorable expanded characteristics after steady fluidization. With different particle size distributions of magnetite powder as medium solids, we selected an appropriate prediction model for the mean bubble diameter in ADMFB. The comparison results indicate that the mean bubble diameters along the bed heights are 35 mm < D b < 66 mm and 40 mm < D b < 69 mm with the magnetite powder of 0.3 mm+0.15mm and 0.15mm+0.074mm, respectively. The prediction model provides good agreements with the experimental and simulation data. Based on the optimal operating gas velocity distribution, the mixture of magnetite powder and <1mm fine coal as medium solids were utilized to carry out the separation experiment on 6-50mm raw coal. The results show that an optimal separation density d P of 1.73g/cm 3 with a probable error E of 0.07g/cm 3 and a recovery efficiency of 99.97% is achieved, which indicates good separation performance by applying ADMFB.

A model for predicting bubble rise velocity in a pulsed gas solid fluidized bed

Bed stability, and especially the bed density distribution, is affected by the behavior of bubbles in a gas solid fluidized bed. Bubble rise velocity in a pulsed gas-solid fluidized bed was studied using photographic and computational fluid dynamics methods. The variation in bubble rise velocity was investigated as a function of the periodic pulsed air flow. A predictive model of bubble rise velocity was derived: ub=ψ(Ut+Up-Umf)+kp(gdb)(1/2). The software of Origin was used to fit the empirical coefficients to give ψ = 0.4807 and kp = 0.1305. Experimental verification of the simulations shows that the regular change in bubble rise velocity is accurately described by the model. The correlation coefficient was 0.9905 for the simulations and 0.9706 for the experiments.

Hydrodynamics and OCM reaction performance in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor and a riser reactor

The reasonable reactor design is of great importance for increasing the C_(2) yield(C2H4 and C2H6)of the oxidative coupling of methane(OCM),and the OCM reactor should remove the heat released in reactions quickly and efficiently and minimize the consecutive reaction of ethylene to carbon oxides.The fluidized bed reactor is characterized by excellent heat transfer,superior mass transport,and large handling capacity,while fewer studies focused on large-scale fluidized bed reactors for the OCM reaction.Therefore,large cold-model experiments and computational fluid dynamics simulations were conducted to investigate hydrodynamics and the OCM reaction performance in a large-scale bubbling fluidized bed(BFB)and a large-scale riser.In the BFB reactor,consecutive reactions of ethylene are acute because of the strong gas back-mixing,high solids holdup,and non-uniform solids distribution.While the consecutive reactions of ethylene are negligible due to the plug flow structure and low solids holdup in the riser reactor.Further,both reactors can achieve isothermal operation for the OCM process.The C_(2) selectivity of 45.4% and C_(2) yield of 21.1% are obtained in the riser reactor,increasing by 20.3% and 5.8% individually than that in the BFB reactor.This study provides useful information and reference to the OCM reactor designandcommercialization.

TWO-AREA MODEL FOR BUBBLE DISTRIBUTION IN A TURBULENT FLUIDIZED BED OF FINE PARTICLES

The flow behavior of gas and solid was investigated in FCC simulator of φ710×4000/φ870×11000mm.The axial and radial distributions were detected with matrix fiber-opticprobes.It was found that the distribution of bubble diameter in the turbulent region of the fluidizedbed of fine particles was different from the results reported for lab-scale experiments.Radially therewere three areas,i.e.,the central(r/R=0-0.4),the intermittent or stable(r/R=0.4-0.8)and thenear wall(r/R=0.8-1.0)areas respectively.It was noticed that bubbles were almost non-existing atthe near wall area.Hence,according to the coalescence and splitting theory of bubbles,a two-areamodel of bubble diameter distribution was proposed and a dimensionless parameter(γ_M)regarded asan index for’quality’of fluidization was deduced.

AN EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON BUBBLE PROPERTIES OF MAGNETIC FLUIDIZED BEDS BY MAGNETIC INDUCTIVE METHOD

In view of the fact that the existing methods of measuring bubble propertiesare difficult to be realized in magnetic fluidized beds,a new method,the magnetic induc-tive method,has been developed.With the help of this method the bubble properties inmagnetic fluidized beds were studied successfully,which concerned mainly with the influ-ence of magnetic intensity,single jet gas flow rate and main fluidizing gas flow rate onbubble frequency,velocity volume and coalescence or splitting.

The motion mechanism and characteristic of bubble in a pseudo-2D tapered fluidized bed

The different carbon nanotube(CNT)particles(^(@)A and^(@)V)were bed materials in the pseudo-2D tapered fluidized bed(TFB)with/without a distributor.A detailed investigation of the motion mechanism of bubbles was carried out.The high-speed photography and image analysis techniques were used to study bubble characteristic and mixing behavior in the tapered angle of TFB without a distributor.The fractal analysis method was used to analyze the degree of particles movement.Results showed that an S-shaped motion trajectory of bubbles was captured in the bed of^(@)V particles.The population of observational bubbles in the bed of^(@)V particles was more than that of^(@)A particles,and the bubble size was smaller in the bed of^(@)V particles than that of^(@)A particles.The motion mechanism of bubbles had been shown to be related to bed materials and initial bed height in terms of analysis and comparison of bubble diameter,bubble aspect ratio and bubble shape factor.Importantly,compared to the TFB with a distributor,the TFB without a distributor had been proved to be beneficial to the CNT fluidization according to the study of bubble characteristic and the degree of the particle movement.Additionally,it was found that the mixing behavior of^(@)V particles was better than^(@)A particles in the tapered angle of TFB without a distributor.

Numerical simulation on the fluidized bed gasification and CaO dechlorination of refuse derived fuel

A three-dimensional numerical model verified by previous experimental data is developed to simulate the fluidized bed gasification of refuse derived fuel （RDF）. The CaO dechlorination model obtained by the thermal gravity analysis （TGA） is coupled to investigate the process of CaO dechlorination. An Eulerian-Eulerian method is adopted to simulate the gas-solid flow and self-developed chemical reaction modules are used to simulate chemical reactions. Flow patterns, gasification results and dechlorination efficiency are obtained by numerical simulation. Meanwhile, simulations are performed to evaluate the effects of Ca/Cl molar ratio and temperature on dechlorination efficiency. The simulation results show that the presence of bubbles in the gasifier lowers the CaO dechlorination efficiency. Increasing the Ca/Cl molar ratio can enhance the dechlorination efficiency. However, with the temperature increasing, the dechlorination efficiency increases initially and then decreases. The optimal Ca/Cl molar ratio is in the range of 3. 0 to 3. 5 and the optimal temperature is 923K.

Fluidization characteristics of magnetic particles and determination of stable fluidization zone in magnetically fluidized bed

To determine and calculate the stable fluidization zone in a magnetically fluidized bed, the fluidization characteristics of magnetic particles are investigated. Four kinds of magnetic particles with different average diameters, ranging from 231 to 512 μm, are fluidized in the presence of magnetic fields with specified values of the intensity in the range of zero to 7330 A/m, and the particle fluidization curves are plotted. For marking the stable fluidization zone in the curves, the minimum bubbling velocities of particles are measured by the pressure-drop fluctuation. Based on the fluidization curves, the influences of the average particle diameter and magnetic field intensity on the zone are analyzed and discussed. A correlation to determine the stable fluidization zone is derived from the experimental data, using three dimensionless numbers, i. e., the ratio of magnetic potential to gravity potential, the Reynolds number and the Archimedes number. Compared with available data reported, it is shown that the correlation is more simplified to predict relative parameters for the bed operating in the state of stable fluidization under reasonable conditions.

Characterization of Pressure Signals in Fluidized Beds Loaded with Large Particles Using Wigner Distribution Analysis: Feasibility of Diagnosis of Agglomeration

An experimental verification is reported on the early predicting index of agglomeration in bubbling fluidized bed. Coarse quartz sand, which has the same density but larger diameter than the bed material, was used to simulate the initial agglomerated particle. Wigner distribution was used to analyze the pressure fuctuation of the tested bed, and the average amplitude of local domain frequency （LDF） and local peak weighted average frequency （LPWA） under different operating conditions were measured and compared. The results showed that the LDF is sensitive to the agglomeration phenomena and had quick response to the incipient agglomeration in fluidized beds. It can be concluded from the results that these two parameters could be taken as the characteristic indexes to the agglomeration in fuidized beds.

Effect of Gas Distributor Structure on Fluidization Characteristics in a Gas-Solid Fluidized Bed

In the present paper,the experimental method and computational fluid dynamics(CFD)method were used to investigate the effect of gas distributors with different orifice sizes and orifice pitches on fluidization characteristics in a gas-solid fluidized bed.The Euler-Euler two fluid model(TFM)approach based on the kinetic theory of granular flow(KTGF)and the standard k-epsilon turbulence model was employed in the numerical simulation by using ANSYS Fluent 15.0.The results showed that the orifice size and the orifice pitch of gas distributor had a significant influence on the flow characteristics in the gas-solid fluidized bed.With a decreasing orifice size and orifice pitch of gas distributor having the same opening area,the distributor pressure drop,the initial bubble size,and the height of dead zone just above the distributor were decreased,and the bed pressure drop was increased more than that of the larger orifice size and orifice pitch of distributors,the distribution of solid volume fraction was also more homogeneous for the smaller orifice size.

An analysis approach of mass and energy balance in a dual-reactor circulating fluidized bed system

An analysis approach considering gas-solids hydrodynamics,reaction kinetics and reacting species nonuniformity together in a dual-reactor system is presented for better understanding its mass and energy balance.It was achieved by a 3-dimensional comprehensive hydrodynamics and reaction model for the dual-reactor system,which was developed from the successfully verified 3-dimensional comprehensive combustion model for one circulating fluidized bed(CFB)system(Xu and Cheng,2019).The developed model and analysis approach was successfully used on a 1 MW circulating fluidized bed–bubbling fluidized bed(CFB-BFB)dual-reactor system.Results showed the sensible and chemical energy between two reactors as well as the energy distributions in each reactor were balanced and they agreed well with the experimental measurements.The analysis approach indicated energy balance had a close relationship with the mass transfer in the CFB-BFB dual-reactor system.It may be applied in a design and operation optimization for a dual-reactor system.

Bubble dynamics properties of B-particles in a quasi-2D gas-solid fluidized bed:Computational particle fluid dynamics numerical simulation and post-processed by digital image analysis technique

Bubble dynamics properties play a crucial and significant role in the design and optimization of gas-solid fluidized beds.In this study,the bubble dynamics properties of four B-particles were investigated in a quasi-two-dimensional(quasi-2D)fluidized bed,including bubble equivalent diameter,bubble size distribution,average bubble density,bubble aspect ratio,bubble hold-up,bed expansion ratio,bubble radial position,and bubble velocity.The studies were performed by computational particle fluid dynamics(CPFD)numerical simulation and post-processed with digital image analysis(DIA)technique,at superficial gas velocities ranging from 2u_(mf) to 7u_(mf).The simulated results shown that the CPFD simulation combining with DIA technique post-processing could be used as a reliable method for simulating bubble dynamics properties in quasi-2D gas-solid fluidized beds.However,it seemed not desirable for the simulation of bubble motion near the air distributor at higher superficial gas velocity from the simulated average bubble density distribution.The superficial gas velocity significantly affected the bubble equivalent diameter and evolution,while it had little influence on bubble size distribution and bubble aspect ratio distribution for the same particles.Both time-averaged bubble hold-up and bed expansion ratio increased with the increase of superficial gas velocity.Two core-annular flow structures could be found in the fluidized bed for all cases.The average bubble rising velocity increased with the increasing bubble equivalent diameter.For bubble lateral movement,the smaller bubbles might be more susceptible,and superficial gas velocity had a little influence on the absolute lateral velocity of bubbles.The simulated results presented a valuable and novel approach for studying bubble dynamics properties.The comprehensive understanding of bubble dynamics behaviors in quasi-2D gas-solid fluidized beds would provide support in the design,operation,and optimization of gas-solid fluidized bed reactors.

Fluidization and bubbling behavior of potash particles in a deep fluidized bed

Most existing models for predicting bubble size and bubble frequency have been developed for freely bubbling fluidized beds.Accurate prediction of bubbling behavior in deep fluidized beds,however,has been a challenge due to the higher degree of bubble coalescence and break up,high probability of the slugging regime,partial fluidization,and chaotic behavior in the bubbling regime.In this work,the bubbling and fluidization behavior of potash particles was investigated in a deep fluidized bed employing a twin-plane electrical capacitance tomography(ECT)system.Solid volume fraction,average bubble velocity,average bubble diameter,and bubble frequency in both bubbling and slugging regimes were measured at two different bed height ratios(H/D=3.5 and H/D=3.78).This work is the first to illustrate a sequential view of bubbles at different superficial gas velocities in a fluidized bed.The results show that both the bubble diameter and rising velocity increased with increasing the superficial gas velocity for the two bed heights,with larger values observed in the deeper bed compared to the shallower one.Predicted values for bubble diameter,bubble rise velocity and bubble frequency from different models are compared with the experimental data obtained from the ECT system in this work.Good agreement has been achieved between the values predicted by the previous models and the experimental data for the bubble diameter and bubble rise velocity with an average absolute deviation of 16%and 15%for the bed height of 49 cm and 13%and 8%for the bed height of 53 cm,respectively.

Segregation of binary particles in gas-solid fluidized bed

Particle segregation and mixing behavior play a crucial role in industrial processes.This study investigates the saturated jetsam fraction,which indicates the maximum capacity of flotsam to entrain jetsam,in an initially separated binary fluidized bed with particle size differences.According to the value of saturated jetsam fraction,three distinct regimes-segregation,mixing,and an intermediate regime-are identified.Moreover,intriguing relationships between the saturated jetsam fraction and superficial gas velocity are observed,exhibiting monotonic trends in both the segregation and mixing regimes,while a unique volcano-shaped curve in the intermediate regime.Additionally,a comprehensive entrainment model based on two-fluid model elucidates the observed phenomena,emphasizing the significance of mixing behavior in fluidized layer on the saturated jetsam fraction.This work offers potential insights for evaluating segregation in industrial applications.

CFD-DEM study of impacts of the porous distributor medium on fluidization characteristics of a 2D-fluidized bed

Gas-solid bubbling fluidized beds are widely used in chemical,energy,construction,and other industrial fields due to their excellent fluidization performance.2D-fluidized beds with planar rectangular columns of finite thickness are widely used in fluidized bed studies,and it is essential for understanding the hydrodynamics of gas-particle systems.Moreover,the distributor(porous medium)at the bottom of the bed has a crucial influence on the fluidization performance of the 2D-fluidized bed.In this work,the fluidization mechanism and gas-solid dynamic characteristics of the fluidized bed under three porous media are studied by CFD-DEM coupled with the porous medium model,and the accuracy of numerical simulation is verified by a high-speed photography experiment.Results show that with the increase in the flow resistance of the porous medium,the average and standard deviation of the bubble diameter decrease,and the time and position of particles in the dead zone to participate in the core-annular flow advance.At a low fluidization velocity,the dead zone in the bed can be considerably reduced by increasing the flow resistance.