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An Innovative Pulsed Column Applied to Solid‐Liquid Contacting the BPC Column
Author(s) -
Brunet L.,
Prat L.,
Casamatta G.,
Carvin P.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.200500331
Subject(s) - contactor , residence time (fluid dynamics) , column (typography) , residence time distribution , range (aeronautics) , flow (mathematics) , volumetric flow rate , mechanics , process engineering , raw material , materials science , liquid phase , chemistry , chromatography , thermodynamics , mechanical engineering , engineering , physics , composite material , power (physics) , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , connection (principal bundle)
The innovative process presented is a novel type of pulsed column (BPC column) used as a solid‐liquid contactor. An evolution in the design of the interior and in the shape of the pulsation has been attained. The initial objectives were to achieve a reactor of greatly increased solid residence time, independent of the liquid phase. Phase contacting is carried out in a column 1.5 m in height. The liquid and solid are flowing countercurrently. The solid is fed in at the bottom of the column and flows upwardly, irrespective of the density difference between the two phases. The behavior of solid and liquid phases was investigated through the analysis of residence time distributions. The range of working conditions has been determined. Consequently, it was found that an optimal tuning of the operating conditions (pulsation parameters, flow control) may minimize the influence of the size and density of the particles as well as uncoupling the residence time of both phases. The column has been manufactured, in order to handle a large range of solid‐liquid systems (solid treatment, purification or reaction, raw materials, floating or dense particles, polydispersed particles). On the basis of the model calculations and design considerations, preliminary data is presented on the technical and economical feasibility of the various applications mentioned above. The final aim of this study is to prove that, for a fixed production rate and product quality, the new column can satisfy the specifications required and possibly even exceed them.