Effect of the Particle Packing Configuration on Fixed Bed Performance

Fixed-bed reactors are generally considered the optimal choice for numerous multi-phase catalytic reactions due to their excellent performance and stability.However,conventional fixed beds often encounter challenges related to inadequate mass transfer and a high pressure drop caused by the non-uniform void fraction distribution.To enhance the overall performance of fixed beds,the impact of different packing configurations on performance was investigated.Experimental and simulation methods were used to investigate the fluid flow and mass transfer performances of various packed beds under different flow rates.It was found that structured beds exhibited a significantly lower pressure drop per unit length than conventional packed beds.Furthermore,the packing configurations had a critical role in improving the overall performance of fixed beds.Specifically,structured packed beds,particularly the H-2 packing configuration,effectively reduced the pressure drop per unit length and improved the mass transfer efficiency.The H-2 packing configuration consisted of two parallel strips of particles in each layer,with strips arranged perpendicularly between adjacent layers,and the spacing between the strips varied from layer to layer.

Adsorption dynamics of ethane from air in structured fixed beds with different microfibrous composites

Adsorption dynamics of ethane in two granular fixed beds and structured fixed beds with microfibrous composites was studied.5A zeolite membrane 5A/PSSF(paper-like sintered stainless steel fiber)and microfibrous entrapped activated carbon(MEAC)composites were prepared by wet layup papermaking/sintering technique and in-situ hydrothermal method.Microfibrous composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy and N2 adsorption/desorption.Structured fixed beds were designed by filling granular adsorbents(5A zeolite or activated carbon)and microfibrous composites at the inlet and outlet of the beds,respectively.Effects of flow rate,bed height and structure on the breakthrough curves were investigated.The length of unused bed(LUB)was determined,and Yoon–Nelson model was used to fit the breakthrough curves.The experimental results showed ethane was effectively adsorbed on the granular adsorbents and microfibrous composites.Both composites could decrease the LUB values and enhance bed utilization.All breakthrough curves fitted well to Yoon–Nelson model,with correlation coefficient exceeding 0.89.The adsorption rate of ethane could be improved in the structured fixed beds,which showed an enhanced mass transfer efficiency for ethane adsorption.LUB values of structured fixed beds with 5A/PSSF composites were larger,the bed utilization values were lower,and the adsorption rate constants were higher than those with MEAC composites under the same conditions.

Liquid-phase esterification of methacrylic acid with methanol catalyzed by cation-exchange resin in a fixed bed reactor:Experimental and kinetic studies

The kinetic behavior of esterification between methacrylic acid and methanol catalyzed by NKC-9 resin was studied in a fixed bed reactor.The reaction was conducted in the temperature range of 323.15 to 368.15 K with the molar ratio of reactants from 0.8 to 1.4 under certain pressure.The measurement data were regression with the pseudo-homogeneous(P-H),Eley-Rideal(E-R),and Langmuir-Hinshelwood(L-H)heterogeneous kinetic models.Independent adsorption experiments were implemented to gain the adsorption equilibrium constants of four components.Among the above three models,the L-H model exhibited the best fitting results.The stability of NKC-9 was evaluated by long-term running with the yield of methyl methacrylate no decrease during 3000 h operation.The structure and physicochemical properties of the new and used catalyst were performed by several characterizations including thermogravimetric analysis(TG),scanning electron microscope(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD)and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR)and so on.

Oxidative coupling of methane in a fixed bed reactor over perovskite catalyst:A simulation study using experimental kinetic model

The oxidative coupling of methane （OCM） to ethylene over a perovskite titanate catalyst in a fixed bed reactor was studied experimentally and numerically. The two-dimensional steady state model accounted for separate energy equations for the gas and solid phases coupled with an experimental kinetic model. A lumped kinetic model containing four main species CH4, O2, COx （CO2, CO）, and C2 （C2H4 and C2H6） was used with a plug flow reactor model as well. The results from the model agreed with the experimental data. The model was used to analyze the influence of temperature and feed gas composition on the conversion and selectivity of the reactor performance. The analytical results indicate that the conversion decreases, whereas, C2 selectivity increases by increasing gas hourly space velocity （GHSV） and the methane conversion also decreases by increasing the methane to oxygen ratio.

Kinetic Model of Fixed Bed Reactor with Immobilized Microorganisms for Removing Low-Concentration SO_2

On the basis of the analysis of the process of treating low concentrations of sulfur dioxide （SO2） gas in a fixed bed reactor, a kinetic model is proposed for this process after taking into consideration the effects of internal diffusion, cell concentration, and production yield of microorganisms but ignoring the effect of external diffusion. The results obtained from the model simulation show that this model can indicate the influence of the process factors, Cin, η μmax, Cx, A, h, Kin, and Q, on the removal of SO2 and that the prediction of the results by this model is also satisfactory. This kinetic model can also provide some very important indications regarding the preparation of immobilized microorganisms, selection and domestication of proper species of microorganisms, as well as the design of bioreactors.

Numerical simulation of low-concentration CO_(2) adsorption on fixed bed using finite element analysis

Accurately predicting distributions of concentration and temperature field in fixed-bed column is essential for designing adsorption processes.In this study,a two-dimensional(2D),axisymmetric,nonisothermal,dynamic adsorption model was established by coupling equations of mass,momentum and energy balance,and solved by finite element analysis.The simulation breakthrough curves fit well with the low-concentration CO_(2) adsorption experimental data,indicating the reliability of the established model.The distributions of concentration and temperature field in the column for CO_(2) adsorption and separation from CO_(2)/N_(2) were obtained.The sensitivity analysis of the adsorption conditions shows that the operation parameters such as feed flow rate,feed concentration,pellet size,and column height-to-diameter ratio produce a significant effect on the dynamic adsorption performance.The multi-physics coupled 2D axisymmetric model could provide a theoretical foundation and guidance for designing CO_(2) fixed-bed adsorption and separation processes,which could be extended to other mixed gases as well.

Assessment of coal gasification in a pressurized fixed bed gasifier using an ASPEN plus and Euler–Euler model

With the help of Aspen Plus,a two-dimensional unsteady CFD model is developed to simulate the coal gasification process in a fixed bed gasifier.A developed and validated two dimensional CFD model for coal gasification has been used to predict and assess the viability of the syngas generation from coal gasification employing the updraft fixed bed gasifier.The process rate model and the sub-model of gas generation are determined.The particle size variation and char burning during gasification are also taken into account.In order to verify the model and increase the understanding of gasification characteristics,a set of experiments and numerical comparisons have been carried out.The simulated results in the bed are used to predict the composition of syngas and the conversion of carbon.The model proposed in this paper is a promising tool for simulating the coal gasification process in a fixed bed gasifier.

Adsorption Characteristics of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxybutric Acid Using Bamboo Activated Carbon in a Fixed Bed

Adsorption and desorption characteristics of 2,4-dichlorophenoxybutyric acid (2,4-DB) from aqueous solution on bamboo activated carbon (BAC) were studied in a fixed bed adsorber. The adsorption equilibrium capacity of 2,4-DB on BAC increased with decreasing initial pH of the solution and with a maximum adsorption capacity of 1.61 mol/kg. The adsorption rate of 2,4-DB on BAC could be best fitted by the pseudo first-order model. The adsorption model based on the linear driving force approximation (LDFA) was used for simulating the adsorption behavior of the 2,4-DB in a fixed bed. More than 95% desorption of 2,4-DB was obtained using distilled water.

Characterization of P-nitrophenol Adsorption Kinetic Properties in Batch and Fixed Bed Adsorbers

P-nitrophenol（PNP） adsorption in batch and fixed bed adsorbers was studied. The homogeneous surface diffusion model（HSDM） based on external mass transfer and intraparticle surface diffusion was used to describe the adsorption kinetics for PNP in stirred batch adsorber at various initial concentrations and activated carbon dosages. The fixed bed model considering both external and internal mass transfer resistances as well as axial dispersion with non-linear isotherm was utilized to predict the fixed bed breakthrough curves for PNP adsorption under the conditions of different flow rates and inlet concentrations. The equilibrium parameters and surface diffusivity（Ds） were obtained from separate experiments in batch adsorber. The obtained value of Ds is 4.187×1012 m2/s. The external film mass transfer coefficient（kf） and axial dispersion coefficient（DL） were estimated by the correlations of Goeuret and Wike-Chang. The Biot number determined by HSDM indicated that the adsorption rate of PNP onto activated carbon in stirred batch was controlled by intraparticle diffusion and film mass transfer. A sensitivity analysis was carried out and showed that the fixed bed model calculations were sensitive to Ds and kf, but insensitive to DL. The sensitivity analysis and Biot number both confirm that intraparticle diffusion and film mass transfer are the controlling mass transfer mechanism in fixed bed adsorption system.

Role of Air Staging in a Batch-Type Fixed Bed Biomass Combustor under Constant Primary Air

Staged combustion of biomass is the most suitable thermo-chemical conversion for achieving lower gaseous emissions and higher fuel conversion rates.In a staged fixed bed combustion of biomass,combustion air is supplied in two stages.In the first stage,primary air is provided below the fuel,whereas in the later stage,secondary air is supplied in the freeboard region.The available literature on the effects of air staging(secondary air location) at a constant primary air flow rate on combustion characteristics in a batch-type fixed bed combustor is limited and hence warrants further investigations.This study resolves the effect of air staging,by varying the location of secondary air in the freeboard at five secondary to total air ratios in a batch-type fixed bed combustor.Results are reported for the effects of these controlled parameters on fuel conversion rate,overall gaseous emissions(CO_(2),CO and NO_x) and temperature distributions.The fuel used throughout was densified hardwood pellets.Results show that a primary freeboard length(distance between fuel bed top and secondary air injection) of200 mm has higher fuel conversion rates and temperatures as well as lower CO emissions,at a secondary to total air ratio of 0.75 as compared to primary freeboard length of 300 mm.However,NO_x emissions were found to be lower for a primary freeboard length of 300 mm as compared to 200 mm.An increase in secondary to total air ratio from 0.33 to 0.75 resulted in higher freeboard temperatures and lower CO as well as NO_x emissions.The outcomes of this study will be helpful in the effective design of commercial scale biomass combustors for more efficient and environmentally friendly combustion.

Comparative study of fluidized-bed and fixed-bed reactor for syngas methanation over Ni-W/TiO_2-SiO_2 catalyst

In this work,syngas methanation over Ni-W/TiO2-SiO2catalyst was studied in a fluidized-bed reactor(FBR)and its performance was compared with a fixed-bed reactor(FIXBR).The effects of main operating variables including feedstock gases space velocity,coke content,bed temperature and sulfur-tolerant stability of 100 h life were investigated.The structure of the catalysts was characterized by XRD,N2adsorptiondesorption and TEM.It is found that under same space velocity from 5000 h 1to 25000 h 1FBR gave a higher CH4yield,lower coke content,and lower bed temperature than those obtained in FIXBR.Ni-W/TiO2-SiO2catalyst possessed excellent sulfur-tolerant stability on the feedstock gases less than 500 ppm H2S in FBR.The carbon deposits formed on the spent catalyst were in the form of carbon fibers in FBR,while in the form of dense accumulation distribution appearance in FIXBR.

Production of single-walled carbon nanotubes from methane over Co-Mo/MgO nanocatalyst:A comparative study of fixed and fluidized bed reactors

In this study,the performances of fixed and fluidized bed reactors in the production of single-walled carbon nanotubes（SWNTs）have been investigated.In both reactors,single-walled carbon nanotubes were grown by catalytic chemical vapor decomposition（CCVD）of methane over Co-Mo/MgO nanocatalyst under two different operating conditions.The synthesized samples were characterized by TEM,TGA and Raman spectroscopy.It is found that the performance of a fluidized bed in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes is much better than that of a fixed bed.The quality of carbon nanotubes obtained from the fluidized bed was significantly higher than that from the fixed bed and the former one with the ID/IG ratio of 0.11 while the latter one with the ID/IG ratio of 0.71.Also,the yield of SWNTs in the fluidized bed was 92 wt%,while it was 78 wt%in the fixed bed.These advantages of fluidized bed reactors for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes can be attributed to more available space for the growth of carbon nanotubes and more uniform temperature and concentration profiles.

Simulation of municipal solid waste gasification for syngas production in fixed bed reactors

This study proposes a model of syngas production from municipal solid waste (MSW) gasification with air in fixed bed reactors. The model (using Aspen plus simulator) is used to predict the results of MSW gasification and to provide some process fundamentals concerning syngas production from MSW gasification. The effects of gasification temperature, air equiva- lence ratio and moisture concentration on the composition of syngas, lower heating value (LHV) of syngas, heat conversion efficiency, and carbon conversion are discussed. The results indicate that higher temperature improves gasification, and higher air equivalence ratio increases the carbon conversion while decreasing syngas LHV. Heat conversion efficiency increases and reaches the maximum and then decreases with the increase of air equivalence ratio. Higher moisture concentration increases the carbon conversion and increases the heat conversion efficiency at lower ratios. Higher temperature and a lower equivalence ratio are favorable for obtaining a higher LHV of syngas at the same moisture concentration.

Effect of Particle Shape on Catalyst Deactivation during 2-Butene and Isobutane Alkylation of Liquid Phase in Fixed-Bed Reactor Using Particle-Resolved CFD Simulation

How catalyst shape affects its deactivation is a crucial issue for quickly decaying catalysts such as zeolite in 2-butene and isobutane alkylation.In this work,steady simulations are used to determine the temperature and species distribution in fixed beds filled with particles of four shapes.Subsequently,unsteady simulations are used to study the deactivation behavior of the catalysts based on the steady simulation results.We describe the deactivation rate and type of catalyst deactivation by defining a local internal diffusivity,which is affected by catalytic activity.The results reveal that the internal diffusion distance of the catalyst determines the deactivation rate,whereas the local internal diffusivity determines its deactivation type.

3D CFD modeling of acetone hydrogenation in fixed bed reactor with spherical particles

Acetone hydrogenation in a fixed bed reactor packed with spherical catalyst particles was simulated to study the effects of inlet gas velocity and particle diameter on hydrogenation reaction. Computational results show that the catalyst particles in the reactor are almost isothermal, and the high isopropanol concentration appears at the lee of the particles. With the increase of inlet velocity, the outlet isopropanol mole fraction decreases, and the total pressure drop increases drastically. Small diameter catalyst particles are favorable for acetone hydrogenation, but result in large pressure drop.

CFD modeling of pressure drop and drag coefficient in fixed beds:Wall effects

Simulations of fixed beds having column to particle diameter ratio （D/dp） of 3, 5 and 10 were performed in the creeping, transition and turbulent flow regimes, where Reynolds number （dpVLρL/μL） was varied from 0.1 to 10,000. The deviations from Ergun＇s equation due to the wall effects, which are important in D/dp 〈 15 beds were well explained by the CFD simulations. Thus, an increase in the pressure drop was observed due to the wall friction in the creeping flow, whereas, in turbulent regime a decrease in the pressure drop was observed due to the channeling near the wall. It was observed that, with an increase in the D/dp ratio, the effect of wall on drag coefficient decreases and drag coefficient nearly approaches to Ergun＇s equation. The predicted drag coefficient values were in agreement with the experimental results reported in the literature, in creeping flow regime, whereas in turbulent flow the difference was within 10-15%.

Lead removal from water using organic acrylic amine fiber(AAF)and inorganic-organic P-AAF,fixed bed filtration and surface-induced precipitation

Granular porous sorbents were normally used for heavy metals removal from water.To search for the new commercial sorbent and treatment strategy,an organic acrylic amine fiber(AAF)and phosphorus loading inorganic-organic AAF(P-AAF)were prepared and used for lead(Pb)removal from water.A new strategy of inorganic-organic coupling technology was proposed for Pb removal,based on the hypothesis of surface-induced precipitation mechanism.The AAF showed a Pb adsorption capacity of 417 mg/g from the Langmuir fitting,while the column filtration technology was further applied to measure the adsorption edge and applications.Effects of different initial Pb concentrations,hydraulic retention time,and co-existing P were considered in the filtration experiments.The presence of 0.8 mg/L P in water significantly improved the Pb breakthrough point from 15,000 to 41,000 bed volumes of water spiked with 85μg/L Pb,while the P-AAF fixed bed showed better removal of Pb than AAF SEM/EDX and XRD spectra were employed for determining the surface functional groups and the formation of surface-induced precipitation of pyromorphite(Pb_5(PO_4)_3 OH)on AAF.This study verified the application of AAF sorbent for Pb removal and the enhanced effect of coating P on AAF,thus improved our fundamental understanding and application of the surface chemistry process of Pb with P.

Fluid flow simulation of industrial fixed bed mixed-flow grain dryer using k-ω SST turbulence model

The fluid dynamics analysis on industrial,mixed-flow grain dryers with fixed bed using computational techniques is necessary to assist the design of such equipment contributing to cost reduction in the dryer projects and agricultural drying operations that involve the production of grains in the world.This study presents a Computational Fluid Dynamic(CFD)solution for air flow analysis in an industrial dryer.The air flow at the inlet and outlet of the dryer was investigated using the k-ωSST turbulence model.The dryer region with soybean was considered as a laminar porous medium flow in the permanent and isothermal regime,having for the model a simplified geometry with the tower considered as a porous medium and the air inlet and outlet as a turbulent fluid domain.The flow was treated with a permanent and isothermal regime.Dryer flow and pressures were used according to design parameters.To validate the k-ωSST turbulence model,the velocity profile at the dryer inlet was obtained experimentally,which presented results with good agreement between the numerical and the experimental model.The model obtained satisfactory results of the computational validation of the air flow in the dryer with good convergence requiring a minimum of computational effort,being suitable for the simulation of industrial-scale dryers,as to its air flow through a tower,operating with fixed bed soybean in the steady and isothermal regime.

Modeling Date Palm Trunk Fibers (DPTF) Packed Bed Adsorption Performances for Cadmium Removal from Aqueous Wastewater

In this study,the potential of a low-cost bio-adsorbent,taken directly from Date Palm Trunk Fibers(DPTF)agricultural wastes,for cadmium ions removal from wastewaters is examined.The performances of this adsorbent are evaluated by building breakthrough curves at different bed heights and flow rates while keeping other parameters,such as the initial feed concentration,pH,and particle size,constant.The results indicate that the maximum cadmium adsorption capacity of DTPF can be obtained from the Thomas model as 51.5 mg/g with the most extended mass transfer zone of 83 min at the lowest flow rate at 5 ml/min.The saturation concentrations(NO)and the rate constant(kab)obtained from the BDST(bed depth service time)model are 7022.16 mg/l and 0.0536 l/mg.min,respectively.Using the Yon-Nelsen Model,it is found that operating at a lower flow rate leads to a larger value of the elapsed needed time to reach a 50%breakthrough.The Wolborska model indicates that the bed capacity increases with decreasing the flow rate,and the adsorbent can achieve a greater external mass transfer kinetic coefficient(2.271/min)at a higher flow rate.

Optimizing the drying parameters of a fixed bed with reversing ventilation for peanut using computer simulation

To obtain the optimal operation parameters of fixed-bed reversing ventilation drying of peanuts,a set of partial differential equations indicating the heat and mass transfer relationships between the peanut pods and air during drying was proposed.Then,a series of discretized models were established for simulation,and the time consumed,unevenness,and energy consumption for batch drying were calculated.The results showed that reversing ventilation and segmented drying was helpful to these issues for high drying ability.The optimal operation parameters were determined by uniform design experimentation of mathematical simulation.The result showed that when the moisture content(wet basis)was above 22%,a ventilation velocity of 0.46 m/s was optimal;when the moisture content was between 8%and 22%,a ventilation velocity of 0.20 m/s was optimal.Using the optimal parameters,the computer simulating result was compared with the experimental results.The correlation coefficients between the simulating and the experimental values for the temperature and moisture content were all above 0.98 and the quality of dried peanuts was close to that of natural sun-dried ones,which indicates that the optimization results of the drying parameters are highly reliable.