Full-Loop Study of a Pilot-Scale Dual Fluidized Bed Cold Flow System: Hydrodynamic Simulation

Abstract

Computational particle fluid dynamics (CPFD) simulations of three-dimensional cold-flow gas-solid flow were performed for a pilot-scale dual-circulating fluidized bed (DCFB) using Barracuda Virtual Reactor® 17.4.0. This DCFB system is a fluidized bed gasifier used in a calcium-loop gasification process to produce a hydrogen-rich gas with CO2 capture. The effects of different bubble bed inlet airflow rates and different solid inventories on the full-loop pressure distribution and particle concentration distribution were compared. The increase in the bubble bed inlet airflow rate significantly increases the pressure in the bubble bed and lift pipe, and the increase in the solids inventory significantly increases the pressure where the solids are tightly packed. For long-term operation, the appropriate combination of parameters should be found to maintain a stable particle seal at the loopseals.