Study on structure optimization of a bubble cap against erosion wear of an S Zorb desulfurization reactor distribution plate

Abstract

Bubble cap structures are researched for the particle erosion wear of the distribution plate (tray for short) in an S Zorb desulfurization reactor. The semi-empirical model of erosion wear prediction of gas–solid two-phase flow is revised by means of erosion wear experiments at high temperature and high speed. According to the revised erosion wear, the influence of the h0 (the distance from the bottom of the bubble cap to the tray), h1 (distance from the outlet of the lifting pipe to the top of the bubble cap interface), N (the number of cavities), d0 (the inner diameter of bubble cap) on erosion wear of trays are studied. The results show that a smaller h0 will make the erosion degree of the tray more serious; it is recommended to keep h0 = 17 mm. A larger h1 will alleviate the erosion wear degree of adsorbent particles on the tray, but considering the efficiency of the reaction, h1 = 36 mm is more appropriate. The increase of N reduces the erosion wear less but enhances the fluid disturbance and makes the erosion wear area unstable; so, N should be kept at 10. The increase of d0 reduces the velocity and density of fluid impacting the tray, thus reducing the erosion wear degree, which is an effective means.