Analysis of Gas Flow in Fluidized Bed Reactors

Abstract

Gas flow distribution and the cross-sectional areas occupied by the bubble and particulate phases in a fluidized bed are examined for the models of Partridge and Rowe, Kunii and Levenspiel, and Fryer and Potter. It has been shown that for these models there exists a critical value of fluidizing gas velocity, defined as the gas velocity at which the area of one of the phases becomes equal to the total cross-sectional area of the bed. For a given set of model parameters the value of the critical fluidizing gas velocity can be predicted. Existence of such a critical velocity imposes restrictions on the applicability of these models. Some modifications of the Partridge-Rowe model are proposed in order to extend the region of validity of this model while retaining its basic features. © 1978, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.