Study of the performances of an oxygen carrier: Experimental investigation of the binder's contribution and characterization of its structural modifications

The aim of this work is to investigate the contribution of the binder (NiAl₂O₄) on the performances of the oxygen carrier NiO/NiAl₂O₄. To this purpose, oxidation/reduction cycles have been performed in a fixed bed reactor using CO as a fuel. The results reveal that the binder can react with the fuel to form CO₂, and that its total reduction capacity increases with temperature. XRD characterizations performed on the binder (on the fresh and after several cycles) show a shift of the diffraction peaks of NiAl₂O₄ toward the ones of γ-alumina, which can be attributed to a progressive decomposition of NiAl₂O₄ to alumina and NiO.     

Estimation of particle dynamics in 2-D fluidized beds using particle tracking velocimetry

The experimental characterization of particle dynamics in fluidized beds is of great importance in fostering an understanding of solid phase motion and its effect on particle properties in granulation processes. Commonly used techniques such as particle image velocimetry rely on the cross-correlation of illumination intensity and averaging procedures. It is not possible to obtain single particle velocities with such techniques. Moreover, the estimated velocities may not accurately represent the local particle velocities in regions with high velocity gradients. Consequently, there is a need for devices and methods that are capable of acquiring individual particle velocities. This paper describes how particle tracking velocimetry can be adapted to dense particulate flows. The approach presented in this paper couples high-speed imaging with an innovative segmentation algorithm for particle detection, and employs the Voronoi method to solve the assignment problem usually encountered in densely seeded flows. Lagrangian particle tracks are obtained as primary information, and these serve as the basis for calculating sophisticated quantities such as the solid-phase flow field, granular temperature, and solid volume fraction. We show that the consistency of individual trajectories is sufficient to recognize collision events.     

Numerical simulation of counter-current flow field in the downcomer of a liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed

A comprehensive study on the hydrodynamics in the downcomer of a liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed (LSCFB) is crucial in the control and optimization of the extraction process using an ion exchange LSCFB. A computational fluid dynamics model is proposed in this study to simulate the counter-current two-phase flow in the downcomer of the LSCFB. The model is based on the Eulerian–Eulerian approach incorporating the kinetic theory of granular flow. The predicted results agree well with our earlier experimental data. Furthermore, it is shown that the bed expansion of the particles in the downcomer is directly affected by the superficial liquid velocity in downcomer and solids circulation rate. The model also predicts the residence time of solid particles in the downcomer using a pulse technique. It is demonstrated that the increase in the superficial liquid velocity decreases the solids dispersion in the downcomer of the LSCFB.     

Anti-wear beam effects on gas–solid hydrodynamics in a circulating fluidized bed

Anti-wear beams installed on water walls of circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers are one of the most effective ways to protect against water-wall erosion. Beam effects from, for example, beam size and superficial gas velocity were investigated on gas–solid hydrodynamics in a CFB test rig using CFD simulations and experimental methods. The downward flow of the wall layer solids is observed to be disrupted by the beam but is then restored some distance further downstream. When falling solids from the wall layer hit the anti-wear beam, the velocity of the falling solids decreases rapidly. A fraction of the solids accumulates on the beam. Below the beams, the falling solids have reduced velocities but upward-moving solids were observed on the wall. The effect of the beam increases with width and superficial gas velocity. Wear occurs mainly above the beam and its variation with width is different above to below the beam. There is an optimum width that, when combined with beam height, results in less erosion.     

Preparing β-blocker (R)-Nifenalol based on enantioconvergent synthesis of (R)-p-nitrophenylglycols in continuous packed bed reactor with epoxide hydrolase

An engineered epoxide hydrolase from Vigna radiate (VrEH2_M263N) shows near-perfect enantioconvergence in single enzyme mediated hydrolysis of racemic p-nitrostyrene oxide (pNSO). To explore industrial potential of the promising biocatalyst, we tried to immobilize the VrEH2 variant by covalently linking onto a commercially available amino resin ECR8405F. Then a 5-mL packed bed reactor filled with the immobilized VrEH2_M263N was connected with macroporous resin NKA-11 for in situ product adsorption, and the product (R)-p-nitrophenyl glycol (pNPG) was harvested by methanol elution, with 91% isolated yield and 97% ee. The continuous reactor was operated stably for more than 100?h with a space time yield of 20?g?L^?1?h^?1. Subsequently, the β-blocker (R)-Nifenalol was prepared by chemically synthesized from (R)-pNPG, affording the product in an overall yield of 61.3% (1.5?g) and an enantiopurity of 99.9% ee after recrystallization.     

氟添加方式对NiMo催化剂在浆态床上加氢脱硫性能的影响

NiMo/TiO₂-Al₂O₃ slurry catalysts with fluorine as an additive were prepared by complete liquidphase technology for hydrodesulfurization. The effect of different fluorine addition methods on the properties of the catalysts for 4, 6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4, 6-DMDBT) hydrodesulfurization were investigated. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction of H₂ (H₂-TPR), N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms (BET), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The results reveal that in the absence of nitric acid, adding fluoride into the catalyst before the introduce of molybdenum and nickel ions can significantly increase the surface area and average pore size, improve the dispersion of metallic nickel on the surface of catalyst, and weaken the interaction between the metal and the support. This effectively increases the sulfidation degree of Mo, MoS₂ slab stacking, and the content of the highly active Ni-Mo-S(II) phase, which can promote the hydrogenation of the aromatic ring and the hydrogenolysis of the C-S bond, and thus increase the hydrodesulfurization activity for 4, 6-DMDBT.     

床面固体颗粒圆柱绕流的试验现象观察

本文介绍了床面固体颗粒随水流绕过圆柱体时，将在圆柱周围的床面上形成一个无粒子运动区的试验现象。水槽试验结果表明，当固体颗粒的粒径减小时，无粒子区的范围将增大；无粒子区的范围随圆柱直径的增大而增大；水流条件的变化直接影响着床面固体颗粒的运动情况，同无粒子区的形成、消失及范围大小有密切的关系。根据试验资料，结合量纲分析，建立了无粒子区的无量纲经验关系式     

Modeling fluid and heat transport in the reactive, porous bed of downdraft (biomass) gasifier

A fluid flow and heat transfer model has been developed for the reactive, porous bed of the biomass gasifier to simulate pressure drop, temperature profile in the bed and flow rates. The conservation equations, momentum equation and energy equation are used to describe fluid and heat transport in porous gasifier bed. The model accounted for drag at wall, and the effect of radial as well as axial variation in bed porosity to predict pressure drop in bed. Heat transfer has been modeled using effective thermal conductivity approach. Model predictions are validated against the experiments, while effective thermal conductivity values are tested qualitatively using models available in literature. Parametric analysis has been carried out to investigate the effect of various parameters on bed temperature profile and pressure drop through the gasifier. The temperature profile is found to be very sensitive to gas flow rate, and heat generation in oxidation zone, while high bed temperature, gas flow rate and the reduction in feedstock particle size are found to cause a marked increase in pressure drop through the gasifier. The temperatures of the down stream zones are more sensitive to any change in heat generation in the bed as compared to upstream zone. Author recommends that the size of preheating zone may be extended up to pyrolysis zone in order to enhance preheating of input air, while thermal insulation should not be less than 15 cm.     

Investigation of operational parameters for an industrial CFB combustor of coal, biomass and sludge

The combustion of coal and/or biomass （sludge, wood waste, RDF, etc.） in a circulating fluidized bed has been a commercial topper for over 20 years, and references to principles and applications are numerous and widespread although few data are presented concerning the operation of large scale CFB-units. The authors studied the CFB-combustion at UPM-Kymmene （Ayr）, a major paper mill relying for its steam production upon the combustion of coal （80-85 %）, wood bark （5-10%） and wastewater treatment sludge （5-10%）. The maximum capacity of the CFB is 58 MWth. A complete diagnostic of the operation was made, and additional tests were performed to assess the operating mode. The plant schematics, relevant dimensions and process data are given. To assess the operation of the UPM-CFB, it is important to review essential design parameters and principles of CFB combustors, which will be discussed in detail to include required data, heat balance and flowrates, operating versus transport velocity, kinetics and conversion （including the possible effect of the Bouduard reaction if carbon is present）. Since the residence time in the riser and the cyclone efficiency determine the burnout of circulating fuel-particles, the UPM-CFB was subjected to a stimulus response technique using nickel oxide as tracer. Results illustrate the efficiency of the cyclone separation and the number of recycle loops for particles of a given size. Results will also be used to assess the cyclone operation and efficiency and to comment upon expected and measured carbon conversion.     

改进蚁群PID-神经元解耦的CFB锅炉燃烧系统控制

床温和主汽压都是循环流化床锅炉生产运行中的重要参数,会直接影响机组的安全性和经济性。但由于这两者对象存在非线性、大时延、强耦合等特点,其现场控制效果一直不太理想。本文首先采用自适应神经元将床温和主汽压解耦,再利用具有分工特征的蚁群算法优化参数的PID控制器对两者进行独立控制。采用该算法优化常规PID控制参数,能够实现控制参数的快速寻优。该方案应用于循环流化床锅炉燃烧系统仿真,结果表明能有效实现系统解耦,且具有响应快、超调量小等优点,有效地提高了控制品质。