Application Of Fluidized Bed Technology Research Articles

Numerical simulation of fluidized bed: A bibliometric analysis of research progress and prospects

This study employed bibliometric analysis, reviewing 3763 papers related to numerical simulation of fluidized bed published between 1990 and 2023 from the Web of Science Core Collection database. The research findings indicate an upward trend in the development of numerical simulation studies of fluidized bed. This phenomenon is closely linked to the enhancement of computational capabilities, the widespread application of fluidized bed technology, and the continuous advancement in simulation methodologies. Particularly since 2009, this field has experienced significant growth. Journals such as “POWDER TECHNOLOGY”, “CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE” and “CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL” were the most prolific. Current research hotspots included multi-scale simulation methods, data-driven approaches and machine learning, improvements in multiphase flow models, coupling multi-physical field simulations, application of environment-friendly technologies, research on new materials and energy sources. The primary research fields are chemical engineering, energy & fuels, mechanics and thermodynamics. These insights serve as valuable guidance and references for researchers.

From Propylene to 4‐Methyl‐1‐pentene over K‐Cu Supported Catalytically Active Liquid Metal Solutions

AbstractThe urgent need for branched‐chain α‐olefin (4‐methyl‐1‐pentene) with excellent characteristics promotes the development of efficient catalysts for the selective dimerization of propylene to it. Based on the concept of supported catalytically active liquid metal solutions (SCALMS), the highly efficient K−M/K2CO3 (M=Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) catalysts are prepared by the melting method for the dimerization of propylene. The K−Cu SCALMS catalyst presents highly efficient and excellent selective C−C linkage, as well as limits the isomerization of C6 products. The highest conversion of propylene (64.3 %) with 80.6 % selectivity to 4‐methyl‐1‐pentene with thermodynamic instability is reached at 160 °C, 6 MPa and 20 h. Furthermore, the post‐reaction K−Cu SCALMS catalyst can be successfully reactivated in the H2 atmosphere. Therefore, it is proposed that it may be achieved the continuous selective dimerization of propylene to 4‐methyl‐1‐pentene over K−Cu SCALMS catalyst by the application of fluidized bed technology.

100 years of scaling up fluidized bed and circulating fluidized bed reactors

This year, 2022, we celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the commercialization of the fluidized bed reactor. In those years, many new processes have been developed, with many of them considered breakthrough technologies, replacing technologies that were no longer considered competitive. Fluidized beds have the advantages of superior heat transfer and the ability to continuously move solids during operation, along with a list of other attributes. As a result, processes spanning coal and biomass gasification, pyrolysis, fluidized catalyst cracking, acrylonitrile, polyethylene, oxychlorination, and polycrystalline silicon have prospered with the application of fluidized bed technology. Expect that list to continue with current efforts in chemical looping, plastic pyrolysis, methane pyrolysis, and propane dehydrogenation, to name a few. In the past 100 years, the landscape of fluidized beds and circulating fluidized bed reactors has grown in numbers and applications. With those applications comes 100 years of scaling up and optimizing those fluidized beds. We have seen engineering go from an incremental approach to a more fundamental approach using sophisticated models and relevant cold flow experimentation. That engineering work process is still changing. With the onset of better computational platforms, models, and experimental techniques, combined with better statistical tools (e.g., machine learning) and control systems (e.g., artificial intelligence), the application of fluidized bed technology will require less capital, less operating costs, and allow for commercialization in less time. • Reviews 100 years of development and commercialization of fluidized bed reactors • Overviews key commercial fluidized bed applications • Provides perspectives of prospective processes that can leverage fluidization • Traces scale-up tools in the past, present and future

Emergency shutdown of fluidized bed reaction systems

With several industrial applications of fluidized bed technology recently commercialized worldwide, it becomes essential to develop safe operation methods for fluidized bed reaction systems (FBRSs) to prevent any influence on their process values, which lead to accidents. To preventing any disaster or malfunction in an FBRS, an emergency shutdown system (ESD) is initiated, closing the reaction system in case of any abnormality by effectively isolating the flammable gas. However, an ESD is also prone to the “inactivation problem,” in which in the case of failure it initiates the emergency shutdown, even when the operating conditions of the reaction system are abnormal. It is also vulnerable to a “malfunction problem,” where the emergency shutdown is performed even when the operating conditions of the reaction system are normal. In this study, these problems were solved by investigating a reaction system through the monitoring of appropriate parameters and setting up of trigger levels, which reflect the uniqueness of an FBRS using an ESD. The parameters were identified by analyzing the scenario leading to an accident. The trigger levels were determined as the points at which the loss is smaller in the presence of an ESD, as compared to the value of the loss function in the presence or absence of an ESD. Furthermore, the ESD design model was applied as a case study in the ammoxidation process of propylene. The results showed that an ESD can prevent an approximately 8 billion yen of loss due to accidents in plant operations, against an investment of 200 million yen.

Modification and re-interpretation of Geldart's classification of powders

In developing his powder classification, Geldart [D. Geldart, Powder Technol. 7 (1973) 285.] employed fluidization data obtained only at ambient temperature and pressure and from beds fluidized only with air. Unfortunately, industrial applications of fluidized bed technology invariably are at elevated pressure and temperature and with fluidizing gas other than air. Geldart classification of powders does not apply at elevated pressure and temperature. There are ample evidences reported in the literature indicating that normally Geldart Group B powders at ambient conditions, such as polymer particles, can behave like a Group A powder under polymerization conditions at elevated pressure and moderate temperature with substantial emulsion-phase expansion, relatively small bubbles, smooth fluidization, and reduced gas bypassing [J.R. Grace, Can. J. Chem. Eng. 64 (1986) 353; I.D. Burdett, R.S. Elsinger, P. Cai, K.H. Lee, Gas-phase fluidization technology for production of polyolefins, in Fluidization X, Eds. M. Kwauk, J. Li, W.C. Yang, 2001, pp. 39–52; P.N. Rowe, P.U. Foscolo, A.C. Hoffmann, J.G. Yates, X-ray observation of gas fluidized beds under pressure, in Fluidization IV, Eds. D. Kunii, R. Toei, 1983, pp. 53–60]. Similar findings were also reported for Geldart Group B powders fluidized by supercritical carbon dioxide at elevated pressures [C. Vogt, R. Schreiber, J. Werther, G. Brunner, Fluidization at supercritical fluid conditions, in Fluidization X, Eds. M. Kwauk, J. Li, W.C. Yang, 2001, pp. 117–124; C. Vogt, R. Schreiber, G. Brunner, J. Werther, Powder Technol. 158 (2005) 102; D. Liu, M. Kwauk, H. Li, Chem. Eng. Sci. 51 (1996) 4045; M. Poletto, P. Salatino, L. Massimilla, Chem. Eng. Sci. 48 (1993) 617; A. Marzocchella, P. Salatino, AIChE J. 46 (2000) 901]. The original Geldart's classification is modified and re-interpreted in this paper by plotting a dimensionless density against the Archimedes number. The new parameters allow powders with different properties fluidized at different pressures and temperatures with gases of different properties to be plotted in the same graph. The proposed modification successfully transforms the normally Geldart Group B particles at ambient conditions to Group A classification when fluidized at elevated pressure and temperature. The selection of these two parameters, the dimensionless density and the Archimedes number, for plotting is not arbitrary, however. The experimental and theoretical development is discussed.

Application of fluidized bed combustion to industrial waste treatment

Landfill and sea-dumping appear to be on their way out as acceptable methods for the disposal of untreated industrial wastes in Taiwan. Recently, there has been interest in the application of fluidized bed technology to waste incineration for efficient energy utilization and environmental protection. A pilot fluidized bed combustion system was used to investigate the incineration performance and parametric test for the waste from an industrial park. According to the experimental results, the appropriate operating conditions, including temperatures of 800–840°C, aeration rates of U o /Um f = 2·0 or so, and on-bed feeding, were recommended to treat such waste. The emissions of SO x, NO x and CO in flue gas meet the ROC-EPA regulation.