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A two‐phase model for variable‐density fluidized bed reactors with generalized nonlinear kinetics
Author(s) -
Tafreshi Zahra M.,
OpokuGyamfi Kingsley,
Adesina Adesoji A.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
the canadian journal of chemical engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1939-019X
pISSN - 0008-4034
DOI - 10.1002/cjce.5450780426
Subject(s) - fluidized bed , nonlinear system , thermodynamics , kinetics , variable (mathematics) , phase (matter) , chemical kinetics , mathematics , mechanics , chemistry , physics , mathematical analysis , classical mechanics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
A model based on the classical two‐phase concept is developed for the simulation of variable‐density reaction with generalized nonlinear kinetics in a bubbling fluidized bed. The influence of reaction density parameter on the fluidodynamics and performance of the reactor for four general types of reactions was explored. The results show that the expansion factor has a significant effect on both fluidodynamic characteristics and reaction conversion. In all types of reactions, higher values of hydro‐dynamic variables were obtained when ϵ ≥ 0. Reaction conversion, however, dropped as the expansion factor increased. This trend was more pronounced for reaction orders higher than unity. This suggests that bubbling fluidized operations are probably not optimal and applicable for certain types of reactions. Comparative analysis between reaction type and implications for optimum fluidized bed reactor are discussed.