Pyrolysis of Eucalyptus wood in a fluidized-bed reactor

Eucalyptus wood can be utilized as a biomass feedstock for conversion to bio-oil using a pyrolysis process. Eucalyptus wood samples were initially pyrolyzed on a laboratory-scale pyrolysis system at different values in the ranges of 300–800 °C and 0.050–0.300 L min^?1 to determine the effects of operation temperature and N₂ flow rate, respectively, on the yields of products. Then, the bio-oil in the highest yield (wB = 44.37 %), which was obtained at pyrolysis final temperature (450 °C), heating rate (35 °C min^?1), particle size (850 μm), and sweeping flow rate (0.200 L min^?1), was characterized by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and column chromatography. Subsequently, it was shown that the operating temperature and N₂ gas flow rate parameters affected the product yields. Also, some important physico-chemical properties of the pyrolytic oil obtained in high yield were determined as a calorific value of 37.85 MJ kg^?1, an empirical formula of CH_1.651O_0.105N_0.042S_0.001, a rich chemical content containing many different chemical groups, a density of 981.48 kg m^?3, and a viscosity of 61.24 mm² s^?1. Based on the determined properties of the pyrolytic oil, it was concluded that the use of pyrolytic oil derived from Eucalyptus wood may be useful for the production of alternative liquid fuels and fine chemicals after the necessary improvements.     

Production of cyclodextrins in a fluidized-bed reactor using cyclodextrin-glycosyl-transferase

Cyclodextrin-glycosyl-transferase (EC2.4.1.19), produced by Wacker (Munich, Germany), was purified by biospecific affinity chromatography with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as ligand, and immobilized into controlled pore silica particles (0.42 mm). This immobilized enzyme (IE) had 4.7 mg of protein/g of support and a specific activity of 8.6 μmol of β-CD/(min·g_IF) at 50°C, pH 8.0. It was used in a fluidized-bed reactor (FBR) at the same conditions for producing cyclodextrins (CDs) with 10% (w/v) maltodextrin solution as substrate. Bed expansion was modeled by the Richardson and Zaki equation, giving a good fit in two distin ctranges of bed porosities. The minimum fluidization velocity was 0.045 cm/s, the bed expansion coefficient was 3.98, and the particle terminal velocity was 2.4 cm/s. The FBR achieved high productivity, reaching in only 4 min of residence time the same amount of CDs normally achieved in a batch reactor with free enzyme after 24h of reaction, namely, 10.4 mM β-CD and 2.3 mM γ-CD.     

Fast co-pyrolysis of coal and biomass in a fluidized-bed reactor

Co-pyrolysis is one of the most promising options for the utilization of coal and biomass. Coal/biomass blends were prepared using Yilan subbituminous (YL) and corncob and the mass ratios of coal in mixtures varied between 0 and 100 %. Co-pyrolysis characteristics were investigated in a thermogravimetric analyzer from 303 to 973 K under the nitrogen flow of 100 mL min^?1. The co-pyrolysis residues were less than the sum simply added of the solid yields of individuals. With heating rate increased from 10 to 40 K min^?1, the residues decreased more severely compared to the expected under various blending ratios. For fast pyrolysis in fluidized-bed reactor, gas volumes and char yields of co-pyrolysis showed a significant linearity. But pyrolysis-oil yields were higher than the expected from the additive model when the YL blending ratios were less than 60 %. The co-pyrolysis evolved more H₂, CH₄, C₂ + C₃, and less CO than an additive pyrolysis process of individual fuel. The GC/MS results indicated that co-pyrolysis-oil contained more alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, or acids than that of individual fuel. All of that suggested the H/OH in volatiles produced from rapid pyrolysis of biomass transferred to the radicals of coal pyrolysis. The possible reaction mechanism also was provided in the paper.     

Modeling the biological solubilization of coal in a liquid fluidized-bed reactor

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - A fully predictive mathematical model has been developed to describe the behavior of liquid fluidized beds in which the biological solubilization of coal...     

Attrition of dolomitic lime in a fluidized-bed reactor at high temperatures

Results of an experimental study on the rate of attrition of lime catalyst/sorbent in a high-temperature, turbulent fluidized bed with quartz sand are presented. Batch measurements were conducted at 850°C in an electrically heated gasification reactor of the inner diameter of 5.1 cm with three samples of high-grade dolomitic lime of the particle size 450 ??m, 715 ??m, and 1060 ??m, respectively. In addition to the influence of the particle size, the effect of operating (elapsed) time was investigated at different superficial gas velocities. Assuming that the attrition rate decreases exponentially with time, a simple mechanistic model, enabling the correlation of the measured experimental data, was developed. The course of the lime particles attrition is described as a function of the elapsed time, excess gas velocity, and particle size. The presented approach and the results might be applicable for the attrition of high-grade dolomitic lime, particularly in fluidized gasification of biomass.     

Production of ethanol from starch by co-immobilizedZymomonas mobilis-glucoamylase in a fluidized-bed reactor

The production of ethanol from starch was studied in a fluidized-bed reactor (FBR) using co-immobilizedZymomonas mobilis and glucoamylase. The FBR was a glass column of 2.54 cm in diameter and 120 cm in length. TheZ. mobilis and glucoamylase were co-immobilized within small uniform beads (1.2-2.5 mm diameter) of κ-carrageenan. The substrate for ethanol production was a soluble starch. Light steep water was used as the complex nutrient source. The experiments were performed at 35κC and pH range of 4.0-5.5. The substrate concentrations ranged from 40 to 185 g/L, and the feed rates from 10 to 37 mL/min. Under relaxed sterility conditions, the FBR was successfully operated for a period of 22 d, during which no contamination or structural failure of the biocatalyst beads was observed. Volumetric productivity as high as 38 g ethanol/(Lh), which was 74% of the maximum expected value, was obtained. Typical ethanol volumetric productivity was in the range of 15-20 g/(Lh). The average yield was 0.49 g ethanol/g substrate consumed, which was 90% of the theoretical yield. Very low levels of glucose were observed in the reactor, indicating that starch hydrolysis was the rate-limiting step.     

Analysis of a microencapsulated-urease fluidized-bed reactor under steady and transient state operating conditions

The feasibility of containing microencapsulated urease within a fludized-bed reactor, eliminating problems of membrane rupture, was demonstrated. Hydrolysis of urea under conditions simulating that of an artificial kidney device was measured as a function of reactor residence time, microcapsule diameter, volume of microcapsules, urea concentration in the feed, and enzyme activity. Empirical correlations were developed based on dimensional analysis, which may be used to predict urea conversion within the range of experimental operating conditions. Results under transient state conditions better represent the operation of the reactor in treatment of uremic patients.     

Modeling scale-up effects on a small pilot-scale fluidized-bed reactor for fuel ethanol production

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - The algorithm generally underpredicted pilot-scale performance, although in some cases, the predicted and actual profiles were similar. The model did a good...     

Highly selective synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes from methane in a coupled Downer-turbulent fluidized-bed reactor

For the synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) from CH₄ over a Fe/MgO catalyst, we proposed a coupled Downer-turbulent fluidized-bed (TFB) reactor to enhance the selectivity and yield (or production rate) of SWCNTs. By controlling a very short catalyst residence time (1–3 s) in the Downer, only part of Fe oxides can be reduced to form Fe nano particles (NPs) available for the growth of SWCNTs. The percentage of unreduced Fe oxides increased and the yield of SWCNTs decreased accordingly with the increase of catalyst feeding rate in Downer. SWCNTs were preferentially grown on the catalyst surface and inhibited the sintering of the Fe crystallites which would be formed thereafter in the downstream TFB, evidenced by TEM, Raman and TGA. The coupled Downer-turbulent fluidized-bed reactor technology allowed higher selectivity and higher production rate of SWCNTs as compared to TFB alone.     

Continuous cellobiose hydrolysis using self-immobilized β-glucosidase fromAspergillus phoenicis QM 329 in a fluidized-bed reactor

Aspergillus phoenicis QM 329 was grown in the shape of beads in shake flasks and in an air-lift fermentor. The production of β-glucosidase started when the carbon source, glucose, was consumed. The β-glucosidase activity was retained in the beads at a pH below 6.0. The influence of bead diameter on enzyme activity and the pH and temperature optima for cellobiose hydrolysis has been studied. The enzyme-containing beads were used in a fluidized-bed reactor for continuous cellobiose hydrolysis, and a productivity of 2.0 g/L-h at a substrate conversion of 76% was obtained. The self-immobilized β- glucosidase is a stable and reusable enzyme with a half-life of 700 h when operating at 50°C and pH 4.8.

     

Use of modified enzymes for the solubilization/liquefaction of bituminous coal in a fluidized-bed reactor

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Biocatalysts allow the solubilization/liquefaction of coal at nearambient temperatures. This research has focused on the chemical modification of enzymes to...     

Production of valuable hydrocarbons by catalytic degradation of a mixture of post-consumer plastic waste in a fluidized-bed reactor

A mixture of post-consumer plastic waste (PE/PP/PS/PVC) was pyrolyzed over various catalysts using a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process operating isothermally at ambient pressure. Experiments with various catalysts gave good yields of valuable hydrocarbons with differing selectivity in the final products dependent on reaction conditions. A model based on kinetic and mechanistic schemes for the observed products associated with chemical reactions and catalyst deactivation has been developed. The model gives a good representation of experimental results. It is also an improvement on the currently available empirical “lumping” techniques which are usually severely restricted in terms of product definitions. Additionally, this model represents the benefits of product selectivity for the chemical composition in relation to the effect of structurally different catalyst types, and the performance of the reaction temperature used as well as the particle size of the catalyst selected.     

Experimental investigation of fluidized-bed reactor performance for oxidative coupling of methane

Performance of the oxidative coupling of methane in fluidized-bed reactor was experimentally investigated using Mn-Na2WO4/SiO2,La2O3/CaO and La2O3-SrO/CaO catalysts.These catalysts were found to be stable,especially Mn-Na2WO4/SiO2 catalyst.The effect of sodium content of this catalyst was analyzed and the challenge of catalyst agglomeration was addressed using proper catalyst composition of 2%Mn2.2%Na2WO4/SiO2.For other two catalysts,the effect of Lanthanum-Strontium content was analyzed and 10%La2O 3-20%SrO/CaO catalyst was found to provide higher ethylene yield than La2O3/CaO catalyst.Furthermore,the effect of operating parameters such as temperature and methane to oxygen ratio were also reviewed.The highest ethylene and ethane (C2) yield was achieved with the lowest methane to oxygen ratio around 2.40.5% selectivity to ethylene and ethane and 41% methane conversion were achieved over La2O3-SrO/CaO catalyst while over Mn-Na2WO4 /SiO2 catalyst,40% and 48% were recorded,respectively.Moreover,the consecutive effects of nitrogen dilution,ethylene to ethane production ratio and other performance indicators on the down-stream process units were qualitatively discussed and Mn-Na2WO4/SiO2 catalyst showed a better performance in the reactor and process scale analysis.     

Continuous alcoholic fermentation process in a tower reactor with recycling of flocculating yeast

The influence of different substrate concentrations on the performance of a continuous system of alcohol prduction by fermentation using a tower reactor with recycling of flocculating yeasts was investigated. All experiments were carried out using a flocculating yeast strain IR-2, isolated from fermented food, and identified asSaccharomyces cerevisiae. Cane sugar juice was used as a substrate with sugar concentrations of 160, 170, 180, 190, and 200 g/L. Constant values of dilution rate, 0.20 h^?1, temperature, 30°C, and pH 3.3, were used. The performance of the reactor was observed to be efficient with high substrate concentrations. Maximum productivities of 18 g/L/h, 99% substrate conversion and ethanol concentrations of 90 g/L were obtained using 200 g/L of sugar in the feedstock. For substrate concentrations of 160 g/L, a maximum yield of 0.45 g of ethanol/g of sugar was observed or 90% of the theoretical value.

     

Chemical catalysed recycling of waste polymers: Catalytic conversion of polypropylene into fuels and chemicals over spent FCC catalyst in a fluidised-bed reactor

Polypropylene (PP) was pyrolysed over spent FCC commercial catalyst (FCC-s1) using a laboratory fluidised-bed reactor operating isothermally at ambient pressure. The influence of reaction conditions including catalyst, temperature, and ratio of polymer to catalyst feed and flow rates of fluidising gas was examined. The yield of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbon products at 390 °C for spent FCC commercial catalyst (87.8 wt%) gave much higher yield than silicate (only 17.1 wt%). Greater product selectivity was observed with FCC-s1 as a post-use catalyst with about 61 wt% olefins products in the C₃-C₇ range. The selectivity could be further influenced by changes in reaction conditions. Valuable hydrocarbons of olefins and iso-olefins were produced by low temperatures and short contact times used in this study. It is also demonstrated that a post-use catalyst system under appropriate conditions the resource potential of polymer waste can be economically recovered and also can address the recycling desire to see an alternative to solve a major environment problem.     

Chemical recycling of poly(lactic acid)-based polymer blends using environmentally benign catalysts

Typical poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA)-based polymer blends, PLLA/polyethylene (PE) and PLLA/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), were degraded into each repolymerizable oligomer using environmentally benign catalysts, clay catalysts and enzymes, with the objective of developing a selective chemical recycling process. Two routes to selective chemical recycling of PLLA/PE blend were tested. One is the direct separation of PLLA and PE first by their different solubilities in toluene, followed by the chemical recycling of PLLA using montmorillonite K5 (MK5). The other is the selective degradation of PLLA in the PLLA/PE blend by MK5 in a toluene solution at 100 °C for 1 h forming the LA oligomer with a molecular weight of M_n = 200-300 g/mol, which is the best M_n for repolymerization. Thus regenerated PLLA had a M_w of greater than 100,000 g/mol. The PE remained unchanged and was quantitatively recovered by the reprecipitation method for material recycling. In a similar procedure, chemical recycling of PLLA/PBS blend was also carried out and compared by two routes. One is the direct separation of PLLA and PBS by solubility in toluene. The other route is the sequential degradation of PLLA/PBS blend using a lipase first to degrade PBS into cyclic oligomer, which was then repolymerized to produce a PBS. Next, PLLA was degraded into repolymerizable LA oligomer by MK5. The former procedure was carried out using a single solvent; however, the latter required mixed solvents, which decreased the efficient recycling use of solvents.     

Chemical recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste using ethanolamine. Sorting of the end products

There is a growing keen interest aimed at recycling post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, wastes for both environmental and economic reasons. In this study ethanolamine (EA) has been investigated for aminolytic degradation of PET waste in the presence of dibutyl tin oxide (DBTO) as a catalyst. The process proceeds at 190 °C and under atmospheric pressure. The yield of white precipitate was subject to spectroscopic measurements (FT-IR, NMR, XRD and MS), to thermal analyses (DSC, DTA and TG) and to chemical testing (elemental analysis and solubility characterization).Based on the data reached from various examinations, the product formed is identified as bis(2-hydroxyethylene) terephthalamide (BHETA) which could be consider a source for differing polyurethanes. These kinds of materials have potential for many applications such as adhesives and coatings.     

Design and demonstration of an immobilized-cell fluidized-bed reactor for the efficient production of ethanol

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Initial studies have been carried out on the scale-up of a medium-scale (2–5 m tall with a 10.2-cm id), fluidized-bed reactor (FBR) designed for fuel...     

处理方法对活性炭在流化床反应器内甲烷催化裂解制氢活性的影响

在流化床反应器内,初步研究了处理方法对活性炭在甲烷裂解制氢过程中催化活性的影响。结果表明,浓硝酸处理后,活性炭表面会生成大量的含氧基团,未处理的活性炭上,850℃和900℃时甲烷的初始转化率在8%和11%左右,浓硝酸处理后,850℃和900℃时初始转化率分别上升到12%和16%,稳定性也明显改善。离子交换法负载微量金属的活性炭比采用浸渍法负载的有更好的活性和稳定性。