Simulation with a structure-based mass-transfer model for turbulent fluidized beds

Abstract

A structure-based mass-transfer model for turbulent fluidized beds (TFBs) was established according to mass conservation and the balance of mass transfer and reaction. Unlike the traditional method, which assumes a homogeneous structure, this model considered the presence of voids and particle clusters in TFBs and built correlations for each phase. The flow parameters were solved based on a previously proposed structure-based drag model. The catalytic combustion of methane at three temperatures and ozone decomposition at various gas velocities were used to validate the model. The TFB reactions comprised intrinsic reaction kinetics, internal diffusion, and external diffusion. The simulation results, which compared favorably with experimental data and were better than those based on the average method, demonstrated that methane was primarily consumed at the bottom of the bed and the methane concentration was closely related to the presence of the catalyst. The flow and diffusion had an important effect on the methane concentration. This model also predicted the outlet concentrations for ozone decomposition, which increased with increasing gas velocity. Interphase mass transfer was presented as the limiting step for this system. This structure-based mass-transfer model is important for the industrial application of TFBs.