Modelagem de dois fluidos é largamente aplicada para simular escoamentos gássólido em risers de leitos fluidizados circulantes. As atuais simulações são de grandes clusters (SGC), executadas em domínios reais com malhas numéricas grosseiras, ou simulações sub-malha, executadas em malhas numéricas refinadas em domínios reduzidos. O propósito das simulações sub-malha é principalmente produzir dados de meso-escala a serem aplicados em simulações de grandes clusters. A atual literatura apresenta apenas umas poucas simulações sub -malha de escoamentos gás-sólido em risers aplicando modelagem de dois fluidos, todas para condições típicas de reatores de leito fluidizado circulante de craqueamento catalítico. Neste trabalho realizou-se uma simulação sub-malha para esta condição, e também para uma outra condição típica de reatores de leito circulante para combustão/gaseificação. Correlações teóricas derivadas da teoria cinética dos escoamentos granulares (TCEG) foram aplicadas para determinar a pressão e as viscosidades da fase sólida. Considerou-se um domínio de pequenas dimensões sob condições de contorno periódicas, aplicando-se malhas numéricas refinadas. Os resultados das simulações foram comparados entre si, com outros resultados de simulação de literatura, e com dados experimentais. Então, a correção das simulações foi abordada em vista dos dados empíricos disponíveis. / Two-fluid modeling is widely applied to simulate gas-solid flows in risers of circulating fluidized beds. Current simulations are either large cluster simulations (LCS), performed in real domains under coarse numerical meshes, or sub-grid simulations, performed in reduced domains under refined numerical meshes. The purpose of subgrid simulation is mostly to provide meso-scale data to be applied in large cluster simulations. The up to date literature presents only a few sub -grid simulations of gassolid flows in risers applying two-fluid modeling, all of them for conditions typical of catalytic cracking circulating fluidized bed reactors. In the present work a sub-grid simulation was performed for this condition, as well as for a condition typical of circulating fluidized bed coal combustion/gasification reactors. Theoretical correlations derived from the kinetic theory of granular flows (KTGF) were applied to determine pressure and viscosities of the solid phase. A small size domain was considered under periodic boundary conditions, and a refined numerical mesh was applied. The results of the simulations were compared to each other, to other literature results of simulation, and to experimental data. Then, the accuracy of the simulations was addressed in view of the available empirical data.

O presente trabalho mostra a investigação da influência da temperatura sobre a absorção de SO2 por calcários na combustão de carvão mineral em reator de leito fluidizado atmosférico. Introduz-se bateladas de carvão no reator fluidizado com ar pré-aquecido a temperaturas entre 700 e 900ºC, e a combustão se desenvolve produzindo gases contendo SO2. Bateladas de calcário são injetadas para absorção do SO2. Considera-se duas situações distintas: injeção simultânea de carvão e calcário e injeção defasada. Na primeira situação investiga-se sulfatação direta, enquanto na segunda estuda-se sulfatação com o calcário previamente calcinado. Utiliza-se um carvão energético CE4500 procedente de Criciúma-SC, e dois tipos de calcário : um calcítico procedente de Itaú-MG, outro dolomítico de Ipeúna-SP. Os resultados mostram absorção de SO2 mais eficiente quando os calcários são previamente calcinados. As máximas conversões são observadas em temperaturas em torno de 800ºC. / This work shows the investigation about the influence of temperature on the absorption of SO2 by limestones in atmospheric bubbling fluidized bed combustion of mineral coal. Batches of coal are introduced into the reactor fluidized by air pre-heated at temperatures between 700 and 900ºC, and the combustion develops producing gases containing SO2. Batches of limestone are injected for sulfur absorption. Two distinct situations are considered: simultaneous and non-simultaneous injection of coal and limestone. In the first situation direct sulfation is investigated, while in the second situation sulfation is carried out by pre-calcined limestone. A CE4500 energetic coal from Criciúma-SC is used, alongside with two types of limestone : a calcitic limestone from Itaú-MG, and a dolomite from Ipeúna-SP. The results show that tha absorption of SO2 is more efficient for limestones previously calcined. The maximum conversions were observed for temperatures around 800ºC.

A aglomeração de partículas é um processo muito usado na indústria, que permite melhorar as propriedades de instantaneização de produtos em pó sem alterar suas características nutricionais e sensoriais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar o processo de aglomeração de partículas de farinha de banana verde com alto conteúdo de amido resistente, usando um leito fluidizado pulsado avaliando seu efeito sobre as características finais da farinha, para ser usada como ingrediente funcional na melhora do índice glicêmico e níveis de insulina plasmática no sangue. A matéria prima usada foi farinha de banana verde com alto conteúdo de amido resistente e um leito fluidizado, constituído com um sistema de pulsação proporcionado por uma válvula de esfera, trabalhando à frequência de 600 rpm. Solução de alginato de sódio (5 g/100 g, a 35°C) foi usada como agente ligante na atomização a uma vazão de 3,0 mL/min. As condições de processamento como temperatura, pressão, vazão de ar, e tempo total de processo, foram mantidas em 95°C, 1,0 bar, 0,3 m/s, 50 min., para amostras de 400 g. Resultados após o processo de aglomeração indicam que houve uma diminuição do teor de umidade, aumento do diâmetro médio das partículas e do índice de fluidez, assim como elevada porosidade da partícula com forma irregular, características decorrentes de um produto aglomerado. A farinha aglomerada apresentou conteúdo de amido resistente de 53,95 ± 0,22 % em comparação a 57,49 ± 0,43 % na matéria prima. Pode-se concluir que o processo de aglomeração não alterou as propriedades funcionais da farinha de banana verde mantendo os níveis do AR, resultando na melhora das propriedades de instantaneização das partículas e dispersão em água. / The powder agglomeration process is widely used in food industry, due to increases the instant properties, rapidly dissolving in liquids without altering their nutritional and sensory characteristics. The aim of this study was to assess the particle agglomeration process of the green banana four (GBF) with high resistant starch (RS) content, using a pulsed fluidized bed and evaluating its effect on the final characteristics of flour, to be used as a functional ingredient in improving glycemic and plasma insulin levels in the blood. It was used samples of 400 g of GBF and a fluidized bed constituted with a pulsation system provided by a sphere valve, working at frequency of 600 rpm. Solution of sodium alginate (5 g/100 g, 35°C) was used as the binder in the spray at a rate of (3.0 mL/min). The processing conditions such as temperature, pressure, air flow and total process time were maintained at 95°C, 1.0 bar, 0,3 m/s and 50 min. As results, they were seen a reduction of moisture content, an increase of average particle diameter, high flowability and porosity with irregular shape, typical characteristics from an agglomerated product. The agglomerated flour has RS content of 53.95 ± 0.22 % in comparison to 57.49 ± 0.43 % to the original content. In conclusion, the agglomeration process did not affect the functional properties of green banana flour, maintaining levels of resistant starch, and results in an improvement in the instant properties of the particles and dispersibility in water.

Abstract not available

In Victoria, Australia, brown coal is utilised as a major source of energy for the power generation industry. Victorian and South Australian brown coals have a very high moisture content and therefore, the efficiencies of power generation in traditional pulverised fuel fired furnaces are low. Fluidised beds offer a number of advantages over conventional furnaces, leading to improvements in efficiency and environmental impact. A disadvantage with implementing fluidised bed technology is the issue of scale-up. Fluidised bed behaviour can alter significantly with changes in scale, because of their strong dependence on the bed hydrodynamics. Hence, there is a need to accurately model bed behaviour to ensure that the effect of changes in scale are well understood and will not become costly and time consuming. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques can be applied to fluidised bed systems to gain a better understanding of the hydrodynamic behaviour involved. In the past, numerical models have considered only single particle sizes due to the added complexity of interaction between particles of differing sizes and densities. Industrial fluidised beds typically contain more than one particle size and density, therefore there is a need to develop a numerical model which takes this into account. The aim of this thesis is to develop and validate CFD techniques for modelling the behavior of a gas-solid fluidised bed containing more than one particle size and density. To provide validation data for the numerical model, physical experiments are undertaken on a small two-dimensional bubbling gas-solid fluidised bed. Mixing and segregation behaviour of different materials are investigated. The experiments demonstrate that whilst only a small proportion of the bed consists of different size/density particles, significant changes in bed behaviour are apparent. Changes in bubble rise velocity, bubble size and bubble shape are observed. A number of constitutive equations must be included in the numerical model, including relationships for the momentum transfer between various phases and solids pressure. Different combinations of these constitutive equations are investigated. A new equation for particle-particle interactions is derived and included in a CFD model. The CFD model is validated against both data in the literature and physical experiments. From the validation studies, an optimum equation set is identified. This optimum equation set produces numerical results that closely resemble experimental bed behaviour, thus bringing the goal of solving scale-up problems one step closer. The use of this type of CFD model will ultimately result in timely and cost effective solutions for both the power generation and chemical processing industries.

<p>Hydrogen is considered to be an important potential energy carrier; however, its advantages are unlikely to be realized unless efficient means can be found to produce it without generation of CO₂. Sorption-enhanced steam methane reforming (SE-SMR) represent a novel, energy-efficient hydrogen production route with <i>in situ</i><b> </b>CO₂ capture, shifting the reforming and water gas shift reactions beyond their conventional thermodynamic limits.</p><p>The use of fluidized bed reactors for SE-SMR has been investigated. Arctic dolomite, a calcium-based natural sorbent, was chosen as the primary CO₂-acceptor in this study due to high absorption capacity, relatively high reaction rate and low cost. An experimental investigation was conducted in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor of diameter 0.1 m, which was operated cyclically and batchwise, alternating between reforming/carbonation conditions and higher-temperature calcination conditions. Hydrogen concentrations of >98 mole% on a dry basis were reached at 600°C and 1 atm, for superficial gas velocities in the range of ~0.03-0.1 m/s. Multiple reforming-regeneration cycles showed that the hydrogen concentration remained at ~98 mole% after four cycles. The total production time was reduced with an increasing number of cycles due to loss of CO₂-uptake capacity of the dolomite, but the reaction rates of steam reforming and carbonation seemed to be unaffected for the conditions investigated.</p><p>A modified shrinking core model was applied for deriving carbonation kinetics of Arctic dolomite, using experimental data from a novel thermo gravimetric reactor. An apparent activation energy of 32.6 kJ/mole was found from parameter fitting, which is in good agreement with previous reported results. The derived rate expression was able to predict experimental conversion up to ~30% very well, whereas the prediction of higher conversion levels was poorer. However, the residence time of sorbent in a continuous reformer-calciner system is likely to be rather low, so that only a fraction of the sorbent is utilized, highlighting the importance of the carbonation model at lower conversions.</p><p>A dual fluidized bed reactor for the SE-SMR system was modeled by using a simple two-phase hydrodynamic model, the experimentally derived carbonation kinetics and literature values for the kinetics of steam reforming and water gas shift reactions. The model delineates important features of the process. Hydrogen concentrations of >98 mole% were predicted for temperatures ~600°C and a superficial gas velocity of 0.1 m/s. The reformer temperature should not be lower than 540°C or greater than 630°C for carbon capture efficiencies to exceed 90%. Operating at relatively high solid circulation rates to reduce the need for fresh sorbent, is predicted to give higher system efficiencies than for the case where fresh solid is added. This finding is attributed to the additional energy required to decompose both CaCO₃ and MgCO₃ in fresh dolomite. Moreover, adding fresh sorbent is likely to result in catalyst loss in the purge stream, requiring sorbents with lifetimes comparable to those of the catalyst.</p><p>Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to study the reversible CO₂-uptake of sorbents. In general, the multi-cycle capacity of the dolomite was found rather poor. Therefore, synthetic sorbents that maintain their capacities upon multiple reforming-calcination cycles were investigated. A low-temperature liquid phase co-precipitation method was used for synthesis of Li₂ZrO₃ and Na₂ZrO₃. Li₂ZrO₃ showed a superior multi-cycle capacity compared to Arctic dolomite in TGA, but the rate of reaction in diluted CO₂ atmospheres was very slow. The synthesized Na₂ZrO₃ proved to have both fast carbonation kinetics and stable multi-cycle performance. However, regeneration in the presence of carbon dioxide was not easily accomplished.</p><p>The findings of this thesis suggest that the bubbling fluidized bed reactor is an attractive reactor configuration for SE-SMR. Low gas throughput is the major disadvantage for this configuration, and operation in the fast fluidization regime is most likely to be preferred on an industrial scale of the process. Future work should focus on developing sorbents and catalysts that are suited for high velocity operation, with respect to reactivity and mechanical strength.</p>

Many particulate processes are preferably implemented in circulating fluidized beds (CFB) over traditional low-velocity fluidization to take advantage of the many benefits of circulating systems. Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) is one of the most successfully applied processes in CFB technology, with more than 350 FCC units in operation worldwide. Despite its extensive use, an understanding of the complex behaviour of these units is incomplete.<p> A theoretical and experimental evaluation of the fluidization behaviour was conducted in the CFB riser, standpipe, and stripper. Initially, an extension of the existing CFB in the Fluidization Laboratory of Saskatchewan was designed. The experimental program conducted in this study included an examination of the solids flow behaviour in the riser, interstitial gas velocity in the downcomer, and stripping efficiency measurements. The hydrodynamic behaviour of the stripper was modeled using Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchanges (MFIX) CFD code.<p> The solids flow behaviour in the bottom zone of a high-density riser was investigated by measuring the local upwards and downwards solids flux. Solids circulation rates between 125 and 243 kg/(m2⋅s) were evaluated at a constant riser superficial gas velocity of 5.3 m/s. The effect of the riser superficial gas velocity of the local upflow at the riser centerline was also conducted at a solids circulation rate of 187 kg/(m2⋅s). The results show that there is little variation in the local net solids flux at radial locations between 0.00 ¡Ü r/R ¡Ü 0.87. The results indicate that a sharp regime change from a typical parabolic solids flux profile to this more radially uniform solids flux profile occurs at a gas velocity between 4.8 and 4.9 m/s.<p> To quantify stripping efficiency, the underflow of an injected tracer into the standpipe must be known. Quantification of the underflow into the standpipe requires knowledge of two main variables: the interstitial gas velocity and the tracer gas concentration profiles in the standpipe. Stripping efficiency was determined for stripper solids circulation rates of 44, 60, and 74 kg/(m2⋅s) and gas velocities of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 m/s. For most conditions studied, the interstitial gas velocity profile was found to be flat for both fluidized and packed bed flow. The stripping efficiency was found to be sensitive to the operating conditions. The highest efficiency is attained at low solids circulation rates and high stripping gas velocities.<p> In the numeric study, stripper hydrodynamics were examined for similar operating conditions as those used in the experimental program. Due to an improved radial distribution of gas and decreasing bubble rise velocity, mass transfer is deemed most intense as bubbles crest above the baffles into the interspace between disc and donut baffles. Stripping efficiency is thought to improve with increasing gas velocity due to an increased bubbling frequency. Stripping efficiency is thought to decrease with increasing solids circulation rates due to a lower emulsion-cloud gas interchange coefficient and a decreased residence time of the emulsion in the stripper.

Many particulate processes are preferably implemented in circulating fluidized beds (CFB) over traditional low-velocity fluidization to take advantage of the many benefits of circulating systems. Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) is one of the most successfully applied processes in CFB technology, with more than 350 FCC units in operation worldwide. Despite its extensive use, an understanding of the complex behaviour of these units is incomplete.<p> A theoretical and experimental evaluation of the fluidization behaviour was conducted in the CFB riser, standpipe, and stripper. Initially, an extension of the existing CFB in the Fluidization Laboratory of Saskatchewan was designed. The experimental program conducted in this study included an examination of the solids flow behaviour in the riser, interstitial gas velocity in the downcomer, and stripping efficiency measurements. The hydrodynamic behaviour of the stripper was modeled using Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchanges (MFIX) CFD code.<p> The solids flow behaviour in the bottom zone of a high-density riser was investigated by measuring the local upwards and downwards solids flux. Solids circulation rates between 125 and 243 kg/(m2⋅s) were evaluated at a constant riser superficial gas velocity of 5.3 m/s. The effect of the riser superficial gas velocity of the local upflow at the riser centerline was also conducted at a solids circulation rate of 187 kg/(m2⋅s). The results show that there is little variation in the local net solids flux at radial locations between 0.00 ¡Ü r/R ¡Ü 0.87. The results indicate that a sharp regime change from a typical parabolic solids flux profile to this more radially uniform solids flux profile occurs at a gas velocity between 4.8 and 4.9 m/s.<p> To quantify stripping efficiency, the underflow of an injected tracer into the standpipe must be known. Quantification of the underflow into the standpipe requires knowledge of two main variables: the interstitial gas velocity and the tracer gas concentration profiles in the standpipe. Stripping efficiency was determined for stripper solids circulation rates of 44, 60, and 74 kg/(m2⋅s) and gas velocities of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 m/s. For most conditions studied, the interstitial gas velocity profile was found to be flat for both fluidized and packed bed flow. The stripping efficiency was found to be sensitive to the operating conditions. The highest efficiency is attained at low solids circulation rates and high stripping gas velocities.<p> In the numeric study, stripper hydrodynamics were examined for similar operating conditions as those used in the experimental program. Due to an improved radial distribution of gas and decreasing bubble rise velocity, mass transfer is deemed most intense as bubbles crest above the baffles into the interspace between disc and donut baffles. Stripping efficiency is thought to improve with increasing gas velocity due to an increased bubbling frequency. Stripping efficiency is thought to decrease with increasing solids circulation rates due to a lower emulsion-cloud gas interchange coefficient and a decreased residence time of the emulsion in the stripper.

Fly ashes generated from fluidized bed combustion of low calorific value, high ash content Turkish lignites are characterized by high content of acidic oxides, such as SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3, varying in the range 50-70%. However, there exists no study for the investigation of the possibility of using these ashes as concrete admixture. Therefore, in this study, characterization of fly ashes from fluidized bed combustion of a Turkish lignite and evaluation of these fly ashes as a substitute for Portland cement in production of pastes and mortars were carried out. The samples were subjected to chemical, physical, mineralogical and morphological analyses. Results of chemical and physical analyses of three fly ash samples show that they satisfy the requirements of EN 197-1, EN 450 and ASTM C 618, except for CaO and SO3, owing to high content of acidic oxides of these ashes contrary to majority of FBC fly ashes reported in the literature. In addition to characterization studies, water requirement, compressive strength, setting time and soundness tests were also performed for 10%, 20% and 30% fly ash-cement blends and the reference cement. Results of these tests reveal that the blends meet compressive strength, setting time and soundness requirements of ASTM C 595 without any pre-hydration treatment, and that fly ashes from fluidized bed combustion of Turkish lignites have significant potential for utilization as an admixture in manufacture of blended cements.

A dynamic mathematical model for simulation of atmospheric circulating fluidized bed combustors has been developed on the basis of first principles and empirical correlations. The model accounts for dense and dilute zone hydrodynamics, volatiles release and combustion, char particles combustion and their size distribution, and heat transfer from/to gas, particles, waterwalls and refractory. Inputs to the model include configuration and dimensions of the combustor and its internals, air and coal flows, coal analysis, all solid and gas properties, inlet temperatures of air, cooling water, and feed solids, size distribution of feed solids / whereas outputs include transient values of combustor temperatures, gas concentrations, char and inert hold-ups and their size distributions. The solution procedure employs method of lines approach for the governing non-linear partial differential equations and combined bisection and secant rule for non-linear algebraic equations. The initial conditions required for the model are provided from the simultaneous solution of governing equations of dynamic model with all temporal derivatives set to zero. By setting all temporal derivatives to zero, model can also be utilized for steady state performance prediction. In order to assess the validity and predictive accuracy of the model, it was applied to the prediction of the steady state behavior of Technical University of Nova Scotia 0.3 MWt CFBC Test Rig and predictions were compared with measurements taken on the same rig. Comparison of model predictions at steady state conditions revealed that the predictions of the model are physically correct and agree well with the measurements and the model is successful in qualitatively and quantitatively simulating the processes taking place in a circulating fluidized bed combustor.