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Circulating fluidised bed fluid and particle mechanics: modelling and experimental studies with application to combustion Senior, Richard C.
Abstract
The fluid and particle mechanics of circulating fluidised beds (CFBs) was studied in a series of theoretical and experimental investigations, leading to the development of two riser models. Though the study focussed primarily on CFB combustors, most of the results apply to all CFB applications. Experimental tests were performed in a 9.3 m high, 152 mm ID transparent cold model riser. The effects of varying the riser base section geometry, riser exit geometry, secondary air injection, particle size distribution (PSD) and particle density were investigated. Local solids concentrations within the riser were measured by a ueedle capacitance probe, and axial suspension density profiles were estimated from measured differential pressures along the riser length. All parameters investigated influenced the solids flow and distribution in the riser. In particular, changing the base section of the riser from a cylindrical to conical geometry significantly influenced suspension densities in the lower part of the riser. PSD affected solids hold-np within the riser when there was downflow of particle sheets or “streamers” at the wall. Radial particle size segregation was detected in tests with wide PSD particles. Experimental results were also obtained from a 7.3 m high, 152 mm x 152 mm square pilot-scale CFB combustor. Axial suspension density profiles were recorded for typical CFB combustor operating conditions. Wear patterns on erosion probes and results from high tem perature capacitance probe traverses indicated a core-annulus solids distribution, similar to that observed in cold unit risers. Detailed analyses of likely gas-particle and particle-particle interactions within the riser were performed. An extension to existing methods for estimation of the response of discrete particles to gas turbulence was derived that allowed for particle inertia and “crossing trajectory” effects. Based on these analyses, a comprehensive model for dilute gas-particle suspension flow was developed. Both particle collisions and particle-turbulence interactions were considered. The turbulence was represented by energetic eddies of characteristic size and decay time. The particle phase was discretised into multiple size/density fractious, and ensemble average r.m.s. fluctuating and mean velocity components were assigned to each fraction. Particle fraction mass, momentum and fluctuating kinetic energy balances were derived. An additional energy balance for the modulation of the gas turbulence intensity by particles was included. A fully developed flow version of the model was coded, and simulations of riser flows were performed. Model simulations predicted particle fluctuating velocities that were similar in magnitude to reported values measured in pilot-scale tests. Trends were consistent with those observed in the cold unit PSD tests. In simulations with small FCC catalyst particles, gas turbulence was predicted to significantly influence the particle motion. In contrast, turbulence was of secondary importance in simulations with larger particles used in CFB combustors. Greater reductions in gas turbulence intensity, due to modulation by the particles, were predicted in larger diameter and elevated temperature risers, than in cold unit plot-scale units. A semi-empirical predictive model was also developed, based on a core-annulus two-zone approach. A mechanistic equation for entrainment of particles from wall streamers into the riser core flow was proposed. “Exit effects” observed in the cold unit tests, due to the riser exit geometry, were characterised by an exit “reflection coefficient.” Constants needed for the model were obtained by fitting to results from the pilot-scale combustor. Good agreement between model predictions and data from a larger prototype CFB combustor was achieved using these constants, except that a different “reflection coefficient” was used, which was consistent with the prototype unit exit geometry. A mechanism for the formation of wall streamers was proposed, supported by calculations of discrete particle trajectories in the region of steep gas velocity gradient near the riser wall. The estimated shear-flow-induced lift force on the particles in this region can be significant. This investigation suggested that “non-continuum effects” in the particle phase may exist in these layers. These effects are not allowed for in two-fluid model formulations.
Item Metadata
Title |
Circulating fluidised bed fluid and particle mechanics: modelling and experimental studies with application to combustion
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
1992
|
Description |
The fluid and particle mechanics of circulating fluidised beds (CFBs) was studied in a series
of theoretical and experimental investigations, leading to the development of two riser models.
Though the study focussed primarily on CFB combustors, most of the results apply to all CFB
applications.
Experimental tests were performed in a 9.3 m high, 152 mm ID transparent cold model
riser. The effects of varying the riser base section geometry, riser exit geometry, secondary
air injection, particle size distribution (PSD) and particle density were investigated. Local
solids concentrations within the riser were measured by a ueedle capacitance probe, and axial
suspension density profiles were estimated from measured differential pressures along the riser
length. All parameters investigated influenced the solids flow and distribution in the riser.
In particular, changing the base section of the riser from a cylindrical to conical geometry
significantly influenced suspension densities in the lower part of the riser. PSD affected solids
hold-np within the riser when there was downflow of particle sheets or “streamers” at the wall.
Radial particle size segregation was detected in tests with wide PSD particles.
Experimental results were also obtained from a 7.3 m high, 152 mm x 152 mm square
pilot-scale CFB combustor. Axial suspension density profiles were recorded for typical CFB
combustor operating conditions. Wear patterns on erosion probes and results from high tem
perature capacitance probe traverses indicated a core-annulus solids distribution, similar to
that observed in cold unit risers.
Detailed analyses of likely gas-particle and particle-particle interactions within the riser
were performed. An extension to existing methods for estimation of the response of discrete
particles to gas turbulence was derived that allowed for particle inertia and “crossing trajectory”
effects. Based on these analyses, a comprehensive model for dilute gas-particle suspension flow
was developed. Both particle collisions and particle-turbulence interactions were considered.
The turbulence was represented by energetic eddies of characteristic size and decay time. The
particle phase was discretised into multiple size/density fractious, and ensemble average r.m.s.
fluctuating and mean velocity components were assigned to each fraction. Particle fraction
mass, momentum and fluctuating kinetic energy balances were derived. An additional energy
balance for the modulation of the gas turbulence intensity by particles was included. A fully developed
flow version of the model was coded, and simulations of riser flows were performed.
Model simulations predicted particle fluctuating velocities that were similar in magnitude
to reported values measured in pilot-scale tests. Trends were consistent with those observed in
the cold unit PSD tests. In simulations with small FCC catalyst particles, gas turbulence was
predicted to significantly influence the particle motion. In contrast, turbulence was of secondary
importance in simulations with larger particles used in CFB combustors. Greater reductions in
gas turbulence intensity, due to modulation by the particles, were predicted in larger diameter
and elevated temperature risers, than in cold unit plot-scale units.
A semi-empirical predictive model was also developed, based on a core-annulus two-zone
approach. A mechanistic equation for entrainment of particles from wall streamers into the
riser core flow was proposed. “Exit effects” observed in the cold unit tests, due to the riser exit
geometry, were characterised by an exit “reflection coefficient.” Constants needed for the model
were obtained by fitting to results from the pilot-scale combustor. Good agreement between
model predictions and data from a larger prototype CFB combustor was achieved using these
constants, except that a different “reflection coefficient” was used, which was consistent with
the prototype unit exit geometry.
A mechanism for the formation of wall streamers was proposed, supported by calculations
of discrete particle trajectories in the region of steep gas velocity gradient near the riser wall.
The estimated shear-flow-induced lift force on the particles in this region can be significant.
This investigation suggested that “non-continuum effects” in the particle phase may exist in
these layers. These effects are not allowed for in two-fluid model formulations.
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Extent |
12473034 bytes
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Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2008-12-17
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0058509
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
1992-11
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.