Fragmentation and abrasion of solid particles in cyclones of CFB reactors: Phenomenology and kinetic model constitution

Abstract

Particulate material in gas-solid flow systems is under constant mechanical stress due to the collisions of solid particles with the internal walls of the equipment and inter-particle collisions. These collisions cause attrition, resulting in a reduction in particle diameter. This study aims to analyze this phenomenon by evaluating the particle size distribution flowing in a loop in a cyclone. Samples were collected after each pass in the cyclone to obtain the temporal variation of particle size distribution. Increases in the inlet velocity increased the generation of fine particles, consequently reducing the collection efficiency in the cyclone. In addition, a kinetic model was built from the experimental database, and it enabled the prediction of a size reduction of FCC catalyst particles in a CFB reactor. • Effects of fragmentation and abrasion on the cyclone performance. • Phenomenology of fragmentation and abrasion in cyclones operating at high inlet velocities. • Reduction of collection efficiency in cyclones due to particles fragmentation. • Kinetic model constitution for fragmentation and abrasion in cyclones. • Prediction of fragmentation in cyclones operating in a circulating fluidized beds.