The obtainment of particle shape factor by the combination of experimental data and fluid–particle reaction model

Abstract

A new approach to calculate the shape factor of the solid particle(s) was introduced using the experimental data and fluid–particle reaction model. In fluid–particle reactions, the solid particle reactants have complex shapes, rather than standard sphere in theory. In order to evaluate the influence of particle shape changes during the reaction process, we established a fluid–particle reaction model incorporating a parameter called the shape factor. Combining the model and experimental data by mathematical method, we can obtain the shape factor and the comprehensive reaction coefficient. The results show that the shape factor is larger than 1 in the early stage, then begins to decline rapidly and gradually comes near to constant 1. It agrees well with the experimental observation, indicating that the shapes of limestone particles are changing from irregular shapes to sphere during the reaction progress. The fluid–particle reaction model with the shape factor can describe the reaction well, which demonstrates the validity of our work. Using this method, the particle shape factor and the comprehensive reaction coefficient of any fluid–particle reaction can be acquired, which has great value on the precise prediction and control of fluid–particle reaction.