Axial liquid dispersion in a liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed

Abstract

AbstractAlthough axial liquid dispersion has been studied extensively in particulate fluidized beds, no data has been reported previously in a liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed (LSCFb). In this work, the axial liquid dispersions at various radial positions were measured in an LSCFB of 76 mm in diameter and 3.0 m in height using a dual conductivity probe. The results reveal that the axial liquid dispersion is affected not only by the operating conditions but by the radial positions as well. A local axial dispersion model is proposed to describe the axial liquid dispersion at various radial positions. The local axial liquid dispersion coefficients determined by the proposed model are greater at the axis than near the wall region of the riser. This nonuniformity of axial liquid dispersion is believed to be caused by the radial nonuniform distribution of liquid velocity, and bed voidage in the LSCFB can significantly affect the axial liquid dispersion.