The effect of particle properties on the dynamics of fluidized Beds

Authors

  • Yuk tung Kenneth Ho Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers University Piscataway, New Jersey 08854-8058
  • Jayati Johri Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers University Piscataway, New Jersey 08854-8058
  • Benjamin Glasser Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers University Piscataway, New Jersey 08854-8058

Abstract

Fluidized beds comprise of a bed of solid particles supported against gravity by the upward flow of a fluid. They are used in a variety of applications in industry because they provide excellent rates of mass and heat transfer. In fluid catalytic cracking, for example, long carbon chains from coal or crude oil may be broken to form shorter chains to make gasoline and other substances.


Fluidized beds are also helpful for the removal of pollutants from flue gas before its release into the atmosphere. In this application, carbon particles react in a fluidized bed and the products are stripped by using steam. Fluidized beds can be used for steam generation and for coating metal objects with plastic. In the latter application, particles adhere on the surface of metal and form a thin layer.


This project focuses on gas fluidized beds. The occurrence of voidage waves such as bubbles, slugs and clusters in gas fluidized beds, has been a subject of considerable interest. The occurrence of such waves can have a significant effect on the economics and safety of operation of a fluidized bed reactor. It is widely recognized that the behavior of any given bed upon fluidization is largely dependent on particle characteristics. Geldart (1973) published a paper classifying powders into four groups based on their size and density. Each of these four groups is associated with a particular type of behavior upon fluidization. One of these is the Group A category which exhibits an interval of uniform expansion before bubbling. Group B powders on the other hand do not exhibit any such interval and start bubbling as soon as bed expansion begins. The reason for this difference in behavior is not well understood and will be the focus of this study.

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Author Biography

Yuk tung Kenneth Ho, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers University Piscataway, New Jersey 08854-8058

Rutgers Undergraduate Research Fellow

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Published

2000-09-01

How to Cite

Ho, Y. tung K. ., Johri, J. ., & Glasser, B. . (2000). The effect of particle properties on the dynamics of fluidized Beds. The Rutger Scholar, 2. Retrieved from https://rutgersscholar.libraries.rutgers.edu/index.php/scholar/article/view/22

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