Structure-based simulation of mass transfer in turbulent fluidized beds without local equilibrium assumption

Abstract

Traditional methods based on local equilibrium assumption are unsuitable to describe the non-linear and non-equilibrium mass transfer in turbulent fluidized beds (TFBs), especially for industrial-scale reactors. In this work, the structure-based mass balance equations are proposed to describe the transfer and reaction of component on the surface of particles. These equations are valid and reasonable whether mass transfer and chemical reaction are in local equilibrium or not. Since local equilibrium assumption is not used, the proposed method can directly describe the transfer-reaction systems in TFBs, which are not in local equilibrium. Moreover, the proposed mass balance equations have also considered the meso-scale flow of particles. This can better reflect the transfer of component caused by the convection of particles in TFBs than the traditional models. The accuracy of the present model prediction was confirmed by comparison of the predicted results and the experimentation being available in literatures.