Effect of temperature on triboelectrifcation of polyethylene particles in a pilot-scale pressurized gas-solid fluidized bed

Abstract

In this work, the influence of temperature on electrostatic charging behaviour of polyethylene (PE) particles and their degree of fouling in a pilot-plant fluidized bed was studied at two pressure levels. PE resin received from a commercial reactor was fluidized in a 0.15 m stainless-steel column at two pressures of 101 and 2600 kPa while the operating temperatures was varied from 24 to 58 °C. The amount of wall fouling and particles charge distribution in various regions of the bed were measured. Overall, it was found that at similar operating conditions, increasing pressure gave rise to a larger amount of wall fouling. At atmospheric pressure, the fouling declined by approximately 30%, when the average bed temperature was doubled from 24 °C. At 2600 kPa, a similar trend was observed although the influence of temperature was significantly greater, with 72.5% decline at the highest temperature tested. The particles within the bulk of the bed acquired less net specific charge (Q/m) at higher temperatures, signifying a lower electrostatic charge generation within the bed with the increase in temperature.