Characterization and Development of Packed-Fluidized Bed Reactors
Doktorsavhandling, 2024
Initially, the heat transfer coefficient to a horizontal tube submerged in a packed-fluidized bed, pressure drop, and vertical solids segregation are experimentally evaluated for bed temperatures ranging from 400°C to 900°C and superficial gas velocities from 0.04 m/s to 0.411 m/s. Subsequently, the conversion of gaseous fuels during CLC is investigated. CLC experiments are conducted using CH4, CO, and syngas (50/50% H2/CO) as fuels, at temperatures between 840°C and 940°C. Next, gas-solid mass transfer in a bubbling packed-fluidized bed is studied. This is achieved through targeted experiments using a bed of moist silica gel, where the rate of H2O desorption is monitored during the experiments. A detailed mass transfer analysis is performed using a model that accounts for various steps in the mass transfer chain. Finally, the residence time distribution of bed material in a bubbling packed-fluidized bed with throughflow is examined. The cold-flow reactor setups allow for continuous cross-current and counter-current flow of particles and fluidizing gas. The effects of packing type, fluidization number, bed height, and solid throughflow rate are analyzed. The axial dispersion and tank-in-series models are utilized to categorize flow patterns of particles in packed-fluidized beds.
The results show that the nature of the packings have significant impact on the behavior of bubbling-fluidized beds. Packings with low void factor such as ASB have a lower heat transfer coefficient, higher pressure drop, and more significant vertical segregation, compared to a bubbling bed without packings. However, packings with high void factors such as RMSR showed an improvement in heat transfer coefficient (up to 1243 W/m2K) at higher gas velocities compared to a bubbling bed with no packings (up to 1124 W/m2K). Also, beds with RMSR and Hiflow packings had lower pressure drop, lower vertical segregation, and higher fuel conversion in CLC compared to a bubbling bed with no packings. Furthermore, the inhibition of bubble formation and growth in the packed-fluidized bed enhances the emulsion-bubble mass transfer by up to 23% compared to a bed without packings. As part of this work, it was also shown that low void factor packings can alter the mixing behavior of solids in BFBs. Without packings, the fluidizing solids are well mixed, similar to a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), while packings could transmit the flow pattern to be more similar to a plug flow reactor (PFR). This was confirmed by the reactor modeling, with the tank-in-series model resulting in an increase in the number of reactors in series from 1 up to 10 reactors when using packings. Furthermore, the vessel dispersion number can be reduced up to tenfold in such packed-fluidized beds.
This work demonstrates that the use of packed-fluidized beds or confined fluidization has a significant effect on important phenomena in a bubbling fluidized bed. This could be of significance in a number of new and novel technologies, including chemical-looping combustion or gasification and hydrogen production systems.
Mass transfer
Heat transfer
Chemical-looping combustion
Residence Time Distribution.
Confined fluidization
Bubbling fluidized bed
Packed-fluidized bed
Random packing
Författare
Nasrin Nemati
Chalmers, Rymd-, geo- och miljövetenskap, Energiteknik
Experimental Investigation and Modeling of the Impact of Random Packings on Mass Transfer in Fluidized Beds
Powder Technology,;Vol. 440(2024)
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Fuel,;Vol. 335(2023)
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Energy & Fuels,;Vol. 36(2022)
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Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Random Packings on Heat Transfer and Particle Segregation in Packed-Fluidized Bed
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research,;Vol. 60(2021)p. 10365-10375
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Chemical-looping combustion in packed-fluidized beds: Experiments with random packings in bubbling bed
Fuel Processing Technology,;Vol. 222(2021)
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Impact of random packing on residence time distribution of particles in bubbling fluidized beds: Part 1–cross-current flow reactors
Chemical Engineering Science,;(2024)
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Nemati N.; Mattisson T.; Pallarès D; Guío-Pérez D.C.; Rydén M.; Impact of random packing on residence time distribution of particles in bubbling fluidized beds: Part 2 - counter-current flow reactors. Chemical Engineering Science 2024.
Thermochemical processes are the heart of many industrial operations. Key applications include generation of heat and power, production of H2, chemicals and fuels, and climate mitigation by CO2 capture. Conventional reactor types used for these processes often underperform compared to the theoretical maxima, leading to energy losses, high costs, and excessive material use. This highlights the need for advancements in reactor design, to meet the growing demands for energy and resource efficiency.
In this context, the packed-fluidized bed reactor is a promising innovation. This novel reactor concept seeks to combine the strengths of both packed-bed and fluidized-bed reactors. Compared to conventional fluidized beds, the concept addresses key challenges by improving gas-solid contact, reducing bubble size, and inhibiting slugging. These improvements can lead to more efficient, cost-effective, and resource-efficient processes, offering significant advantages over current reactor designs.
In this work, I have conducted experimental and modeling studies to explore the potential of packed-fluidized beds in both hot and cold setups. My findings suggest that this reactor concept could significantly enhance key performance indicators, making it a promising candidate for current and future industrial applications. Ultimately, this research may contribute to more energy-efficient processes, reduced costs for climate mitigation by CO2 capture, and support the transition towards a circular economy.
Produktion av vätgas och biokol från trädbränslen med ny process som utnyttjar steam-iron-reaktionen och järnmalms-koncentrat
Energimyndigheten (P2022-00544), 2022-11-01 -- 2025-04-30.
Tillämpning av packad-fluidiserad bädd för energiomvandling
Energimyndigheten (46525-1), 2019-01-01 -- 2023-12-31.
Drivkrafter
Hållbar utveckling
Innovation och entreprenörskap
Ämneskategorier
Energiteknik
Naturresursteknik
Kemiska processer
Kemiteknik
Styrkeområden
Energi
ISBN
978-91-7905-711-4
Doktorsavhandlingar vid Chalmers tekniska högskola. Ny serie: 5557
Utgivare
Chalmers
Lecture hall SB-H5 Campus Johanneberg, Chalmers
Opponent: Christoph Pfeifer, Professor, Institute for Chemical and Energy Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Vienna)