Qualitative numerical study of simultaneous high-G-intensified gas–solids contact, separation and segregation in a bi-disperse rotating fluidized bed in a vortex chamber

Journal Article · 13 May 2016 · Advanced Powder Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2016.05.005 · OSTI ID:1350961

De Wilde, Juray ^[1]; Richards, George ^[2]; Benyahia, Sofiane ^[2]

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1. National Energy Technology Lab. (NETL), Morgantown, WV (United States); Univ. Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium). Materials and Processing Engineering (IMAP)
2. National Energy Technology Lab. (NETL), Morgantown, WV (United States)

Coupled discrete particle method – computational fluid dynamics simulations are carried out to demonstrate the potential of combined high-G-intensified gas-solids contact, gas-solids separation and segregation in a rotating fluidized bed in a static vortex chamber. A case study with two distinct types of particles is focused on. When feeding solids using a standard solids inlet design, a dense and uniform rotating fluidized bed is formed, guaranteeing intense gas-solids contact. The presence of both types of particles near the chimney region reduces, however, the strength of the central vortex and is detrimental for separation and segregation. Optimization of the solids inlet design is required, as illustrated by stopping the solids feeding. High-G separation and segregation of the batch of particles is demonstrated, as the strength of the central vortex is restored. The flexibility with respect to the gas flow rate of the bed density and uniformity and of the gas-solids separation and segregation is demonstrated, a unique feature of vortex chamber generated rotating fluidized beds. With the particles considered in this case study, turbulent dispersion by large eddies in the gas phase is shown to have only a minor impact on the height of the inner bed of small/light particles.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Lab. (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, and Morgantown, WV (United States). In-house Research
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 1350961
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1358804
• Report Number(s): NETL-PUB-20089; PII: S0921883116300887
• Journal Information: Advanced Powder Technology, Vol. 27, Issue 4; ISSN 0921-8831
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English