Bed Reactor (bed + reactor)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Chemistry

Kinds of Bed Reactor

  • fixed bed reactor
  • fluidized bed reactor
  • packed bed reactor


  • Selected Abstracts


    Influence of Hydrodynamic Conditions on Biofilm Behavior in a Methanogenic Inverse Turbulent Bed Reactor

    BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 3 2003
    S. Michaud
    This paper presents a study about the influence of gas velocity on a methanogenic biofilm in an inverse turbulent bed reactor. Experimental results indicate a dynamic response of the growing attached biomass to the changes of hydrodynamic conditions, mainly attrition constraints. Short but intensive increases of gas velocity (Ug) are shown to induce more detachment than a high but constant gas flow rate. Hydrodynamic conditions control the composition of the growing biofilm in terms of cells and exocellular polymeric substances (EPS). The cell fraction within the biofilm (Rcell) was found to be inversely proportional to the gas velocity. The specific activity expressed in methane production rate or COD removal rate is higher in biofilms formed under high hydrodynamic constraints. The control of the hydrodynamic conditions in a biofilm reactor should make it possible to obtain a resistant and active biofilm. [source]


    Axial Dispersion and Wall Effects in Narrow Fixed Bed Reactors: A Comparative Study Based on RTD and NMR Measurements

    CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 8 2004
    D. Tang
    Abstract Axial dispersion and wall effects in narrow fixed beds with aspect ratios < 10 were investigated, both by classical methods and by NMR imaging. The residence time distribution (RTD) in the center and at the wall was measured, system water/NaCl-solution as tracer, and subsequently compared with radial velocity profiles based on NMR imaging. The influence of the aspect ratio and Rep on dispersion and on the degree of non-uniformity of the velocity profile was studied. The NMR results are consistent with the RTD and also with literature data of numerical simulations. For low aspect ratios, dispersion/wall effects have a strong influence on the reactor behavior, above all, in cases where a low effluent concentration is essential, as proven by breakthrough experiments with the reaction of H2S with ZnO. [source]


    Optimization of Operating Temperature for Continuous Immobilized Glucose Isomerase Reactor with Pseudo Linear Kinetics

    ENGINEERING IN LIFE SCIENCES (ELECTRONIC), Issue 5 2004
    N.M. Faqir
    Abstract In this work, the optimal operating temperature for the enzymatic isomerization of glucose to fructose using a continuous immobilized glucose isomerase packed bed reactor is studied. This optimization problem describing the performance of such reactor is based on reversible pseudo linear kinetics and is expressed in terms of a recycle ratio. The thermal deactivation of the enzyme as well as the substrate protection during the reactor operation is considered. The formulation of the problem is expressed in terms of maximization of the productivity of fructose. This constrained nonlinear optimization problem is solved using the disjoint policy of the calculus of variations. Accordingly, this method of solution transforms the nonlinear optimization problem into a system of two coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) of the initial value type, one equation for the operating temperature profile and the other one for the enzyme activity. The ODE for the operating temperature profile is dependent on the recycle ratio, operating time period, and the reactor residence time as well as the kinetics of the reaction and enzyme deactivation. The optimal initial operating temperature is selected by solving the ODEs system by maximizing the fructose productivity. This results into an unconstrained one-dimensional optimization problem with simple bounds on the operating temperature. Depending on the limits of the recycle ratio, which represents either a plug flow or a mixed flow reactor, it is found that the optimal temperature of operation is characterized by an increasing temperature profile. For higher residence time and low operating periods the residual enzyme activity in the mixed flow reactor is higher than that for the plug flow reactor, which in turn allows the mixed flow reactor to operate at lower temperature than that of the plug flow reactor. At long operating times and short residence time, the operating temperature profiles are almost the same for both reactors. This could be attributed to the effect of substrate protection on the enzyme stability, which is almost the same for both reactors. Improvement in the fructose productivity for both types of reactors is achieved when compared to the constant optimum temperature of operation. The improvement in the fructose productivity for the plug flow reactor is significant in comparison with the mixed flow reactor. [source]


    Atomic Layer Deposition of UV-Absorbing ZnO Films on SiO2 and TiO2 Nanoparticles Using a Fluidized Bed Reactor,

    ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 4 2008
    David M. King
    Atomic layer deposition (ALD) was used to apply conformal, nanothick ZnO coatings on particle substrates using a fluidized bed reactor. Diethylzinc (DEZ) and water were used as precursors at 177,°C. Observed growth rates were ca. 2.0 Å/cycle on primary particles as verified by HRTEM. ICP-AES and XPS were used to quantify Zn:substrate ratios. Layers of 6, 18, and 30 nm were deposited on 550 nm SiO2 spheres for UV blocking cosmetics particles. TiO2 nanoparticles were coated in the second part of this work by ZnO shells of 2, 5, and 10 nm thickness as novel inorganic sunscreen particles. The specific surface area of powders changed appropriately after nanothick film deposition using optimized conditions, signifying that high SA particles can be functionalized without agglomeration. The ZnO layers were polycrystalline as deposited and narrowing of the FWHM occurred upon annealing. Annealing the ZnO-TiO2 nanocomposite powder to 600,°C caused the formation of zinc titanate (Zn2TiO4) in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-deficient environments. The non-ideal surface behavior of the DEZ precursor became problematic for the much longer times required for high surface area nanoparticle processing and results in Zn-rich films at this growth temperature. In situ mass spectrometry provides process control capability to functionalize bulk quantities of nano- and ultrafine particles without significant precursor waste or process overruns. ZnO overlayers can be efficiently deposited on the surfaces of primary particles using ALD processing in a scalable fluidized bed reactor. [source]


    Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of carbon by NO2 in the presence of water vapor

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL KINETICS, Issue 4 2009
    M. Jeguirim
    The kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of carbon by NO2 in absence and presence of water vapor were studied in a fixed bed reactor. The rate of carbon oxidation by NO2 is enhanced in the presence of water vapor in the range of temperature 300,400°C. The benefit effect of water is attributed to the intermediate formation of traces of nitric and nitrous acids, which enhance the rate of the carbon oxidation without modifying the global mechanism reaction. Therefore, water acts as a catalyst for the carbon oxidation by NO2. A kinetic mechanism derived from this parametric study shows a decrease in the activation energy of carbon oxidation by NO2 in the presence of water vapor. This result is in agreement with the experimental observation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 236,244, 2009 [source]


    Thermal processing of biomass natural fibre wastes by pyrolysis

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2004
    Anton R. Reed
    Abstract Waste biomass material in the form of natural fibres used in the production of textile products were examined for their potential to produce activated carbon by physical activation. The five biomass types were hemp, flax, jute, coir and abaca. Each biomass was pyrolysed in a fixed bed reactor and the char characterized. The char was subsequently, activated with steam in a char activation reactor. The surface area and porosity of the derived activated carbon was determined. Surface areas of between 770 and 879 m2 g,1 were achieved. The yield of activated carbon was mostly less than 20 wt% of the original biomass. The five biomass samples were also pyrolysed in a thermogravimetric analyser. The thermal degradation of the biomas samples were discussed in terms of the thermal degradation of the main components of the biomass, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Hydrocarbon gases and oils from the recycling of polystyrene waste by catalytic pyrolysis

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2004
    Paul T. Williams
    Abstract The yield and composition of oils and gases derived from the pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis of polystyrene has been investigated. The pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis was carried out in a fixed bed reactor. Two catalysts were used, zeolite ZSM-5 and Y-zeolite and the influence of the temperature of the catalyst, the amount of catalyst loading and the use of a mixture of the two catalysts was investigated. The main product from the uncatalysed pyrolysis of polystyrene was an oil consisting mostly of styrene and other aromatic hydrocarbons. The gases were found to consist of methane, ethane, ethene, propane, propene, butane and butene. In the presence of either catalyst an increase in the yield of gas and decrease in the amount of oil produced was found, but there was significant formation of carbonaceous coke on the catalyst. Increasing the temperature of the Y-zeolite catalyst and also the amount of catalyst in the catalyst bed resulted in a decrease in the yield of oil and increase in the yield of gas. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Thermal performance of a packed bed reactor for a high-temperature chemical heat pump

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 7 2001
    Yukitaka Kato
    Abstract The thermal performance of a chemical heat pump that uses the reaction system of calcium oxide/lead oxide/carbon dioxide, which is developed for utilization of high-temperature heat above 800°C, is studied experimentally. The thermal performance of a packed-bed reactor of a calcium oxide/carbon dioxide reaction system, which stores and transforms a high-temperature heat source in the heat pump operation, is examined under various heat pump operation conditions. The energy analysis based on the experiment shows that it is possible to utilize high-temperature heat with this heat pump. This heat pump can store heat above 850°C and then transform it into a heat above 900°C under an approximate atmospheric pressure. An applied system that combines the heat pump and a high-temperature process is proposed for high-efficiency heat utilization. The scale of the heat pump in the combined system is estimated from the experimental results. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Hydrodenitrification with PdCu Catalysts: Catalyst Optimization by Experimental and Quantum Chemical Approaches

    ISRAEL JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2006
    Irena Efremenko
    A continuous process for nitrate and nitrite abatement from drinking water by catalytic hydrogenation has been developed in our lab. We describe the experimental process development procedure, and support it with semiempirical quantum chemical methods. Comparisons of activated carbon (ACC) and silica glass fiber (GFC) cloths as supports for mono- and bimetallic Pd-Cu catalysts show the former to be 45-fold and 15-fold more active for nitrite and nitrate hydrogenation, respectively, than the latter. Catalysts prepared by selective deposition of Cu on Pd/ACC led to better activity for nitrate hydrogenation than catalysts prepared by co-impregnation or ion exchange methods. The optimal Cu:Pd atomic ratio was found to be 1:2. The computational results show the following: (i) The dispersion of Pd catalysts supported on ACC is much higher than that on GFC due to the larger surface area and higher density of adsorption sites, and that accounts for the higher activity of PdCu/ACC; (ii) Nanosized Pd particles supported on ACC have a semispherical shape and possess preferentially close-packed triangular surfaces, while Pd/GFC particles are extended in the direction parallel to the support surface and show both fcc (100) and (111) planes; (iii) The interaction of Cu atoms with both supports is stronger than that of Pd; adsorbed Cu atoms show a greater ability to form monometallic than bimetallic bonds and that should result in poor mixing of the metal upon co-impregnation, as was observed experimentally; (iv) Cu atoms in bimetallic PdCu particles admit a significant positive charge; the experimentally measured solubility of metal atoms correlates with their calculated charges. The best catalyst (2 wt%Pd-0.6 wt%Cu/ACC) was employed in a novel continuous flow reactor for nitrate hydrogenation in distilled and tap water. The advantages of the reactor investigated over a conventional packed bed reactor are discussed, suggesting a potential for further process intensification. [source]


    Fast and Enantioselective Production of 1-Aryl-1-propanols through a Single Pass, Continuous Flow Process

    ADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 6 2008
    Miquel
    Abstract A functional polymer 4, obtained by reaction of (R)-2-(1-piperazinyl)-1,1,2-triphenylethanol with a Merrifield resin, has been loaded in a packed bed reactor and used as catalyst for the continuous enantioselective production of 1-arylpropanols by ethylation of aromatic aldehydes. The high catalytic activity depicted by 4 allows the complete conversion of the substrates with the use of stoichiometric reagent ratios and unprecedently short residence times (down to 2.8,min). In practice, a single-pass operation can be used for all the studied aldehydes, and productions of up to 13.0 mol/g,h are recorded. The sequential operation of the flow system for the uninterrupted synthesis of a small library of enantiopure 1-arylpropanols is also reported. [source]


    Aerobic biodegradation of MtBE in an upflow fixed bed reactor

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2009
    Emma Bianchi
    Abstract BACKGROUND: An aerobic upflow fixed bed reactor (UFBR) was densely colonized by a bacterial consortium, obtained from gasoline polluted waters, able to mineralize MtBE and BTEX. The system was studied in order to determine its capability to degrade the MtBE present in prepared solutions and in real contaminated aquifers and was operating for more than a year. RESULTS: Efficient colonization of the reactor took about 50 days, utilizing bacteria grown in continuous culture in a fermenter connected to the UFBR. During the study the influence of feed concentration of MtBE, temperature and hydraulic retention time (HRT) was analyzed. The system, running at 18 °C on synthetic medium, was fed at an influent MtBE concentration of 27.8 mg L,1 with HRT of 5 h showing 99.98% of MtBE degradation. When working with polluted groundwater, the system achieved 100% BTEX degradation and 99.34% MtBE degradation. CONCLUSION: The UFBR was tested on synthetic medium spiked with MtBE and on groundwater contaminated with MtBE and BTEX at concentrations of 50,60 ppm and a few ppm, respectively. The reactor responded efficiently showing great flexibility and capability of adjustment to different operating conditions with MtBE degradation of nearly 100%. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Long-term performance of co-metabolic degradation of trichloroethylene in a fluidized bed reactor fed with benzene, toluene and xylene

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2008
    Wei-Min Wu
    Abstract BACKGROUND: Trichloroethylene (TCE) can be degraded under aerobic condition with toluene and other aromatic compounds. Inhibition by primary substrates and toxicity of TCE oxidation influence TCE degradation. RESULTS: Long-term co-metabolic degradation of TCE was evaluated using a laboratory-scale fluidized bed reactor (12 L) with granular activated carbon (1.57 kg) as media and activated sludge as inoculum. The reactor was fed with TCE and a mixture of benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) and operated with one-pass (hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 5,6 min) for 6 months and then with recirculation (HRT of 20,30 min) for 18 months. BTX/TCE-degrading biofilm was developed within 1 month. TCE was effectively degraded with influent TCE concentrations from 48 to 280 µg L,1. BTX inhibited TCE degradation. Recirculation (or long HRT) increased TCE removal efficiency from 30% with one-pass to 90%. BTX/TCE load ratio influenced TCE removal efficiency and TCE/BTX removal ratio. TCE degradation fitted first-order kinetics. The biomass grown in the reactor also degraded cis -1,2-dichloroethylene (DCE), trans -1,2-DCE and vinyl chloride efficiently except for 1,1-DCE. CONCLUSION: Co-metabolic degradation of TCE by BTX-degrading biomass from activated sludge is sustainable in the long term. BTX/TCE load ratio is a key parameter for TCE removal performance. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Epoxidation of allyl chloride and hydrogen peroxide over titanium silicalite-1 film on SiO2 pellet support

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2007
    Li Wang
    Abstract Titanium silicalite-1 (TS-1) films were prepared on SiO2 pellet supports via an in situ hydrothermal synthesis method and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and 29Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (Si MAS NMR). The growth time of TS-1 film had a strong effect on its morphology and the thickness and size of the crystals. The uniformity and thickness of TS-1 films increased with increase of growth times. The epoxidation of allyl chloride (ACH) with dilute hydrogen peroxide to form epichlorohydrin (ECH) over the TS-1 films was carried out in a fixed bed reactor. The conversion of ACH and the selectivity to ECH over the TS-1 films of the second growth were higher than that of the first growth, the third and the fourth growth. And the conversion and selectivity as a function of time-on-stream gave a good stable performance in an extended test up to at least 19 h. The final steady-state conversion and selectivity were approximately 86% and 55%, respectively. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Straw bed priming enhances the methane yield and speeds up the start-up of single-stage, high-solids anaerobic reactors treating plant biomass

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 11 2006
    L Mattias Svensson
    Abstract A simple and potentially inexpensive implementation of a high-solids reactor is a single-stage, stratified bed reactor, in which the bed is made up of the plant biomass fed into the system. In the present study, the stratified bed was started up for a period of four weeks by either direct feeding of sugar beet leaves at four different feeding rates, or by introducing a straw bed primer which was batch digested without feeding. During weeks five to six both systems were fed with sugar beet leaves at such a rate that the total amount of beet leaves added at the end of week six was the same in each of the four corresponding pairs of straw and ,no-straw' reactors. Straw bed priming enhanced the methane yield of the sugar beet leaves, with 0.33,0.37 m3 kg,1 VSadded (volatile solids) accumulated at average solid retention times as short as 11,25 days, while the ,no-straw' reactors had lower yields at longer average solid retention times. The levels and speciation of the organic acids suggested that both the rate and extent of the anaerobic digestion of the sugar beet leaves added in the straw reactors were improved. At the highest loading rate, the straw reactor failed, while the ,no-straw' reactor did not. It is hypothesised that the microbial biomass was better established in the straw reactors than in the ,no-straw' reactors. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Urease immobilization on an ion-exchange textile for urea hydrolysis

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2006
    Kyeong-Ho Yeon
    Abstract Ion-exchange textiles are used as organic supports for urease immobilization with the aim of developing reactive fibrous materials able to promote urea removal. A non-woven, polypropylene-based cation-exchange textile was prepared using UV-induced graft polymerization. Urease was covalently immobilized onto the cation-exchange textile using three different coupling agents: N -(3-dimethylaminopropyl)- N,-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), N -cyclohexyl- N,-(b -[N -methylmorpholino]ethyl)carbodiimide p -toluenesulfonate (CMC), and glutaraldehyde (GA). The immobilized biocatalyst was characterized by means of FT-IR spectrometry, SEM micrographs, dependence of the enzyme activity on pH and temperature, and according to the kinetic constants of the free and immobilized ureases. The biotextile prepared with EDC in the presence of N -hydroxysuccinimide performs best. The optimum pH was 7.2 for the free urease and 7.6 for the immobilized ureases. The reactivity was maximal at 45 °C for free urease, 50 °C for biotextiles prepared using EDC or CMC, and 55 °C for biotextiles prepared with GA. The activation energy for the immobilized ureases was 4.73,5.67 kcal mol,1, which is somewhat higher than 4.3 kcal mol,1 for free urease. The urea conversion for a continuous-flow immobilized urease reactor is nearly as good as a continuously stirred tank reactor having a much longer residence time, suggesting that the packed bed reactor had sufficient diffusive mixing and residence time to reach nearly optimal results. Urease immobilized on a biotextile using EDC has good storage and operational stability. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Gas phase esterification of acetic acid with ethanol over MoO3 supported on AlPO4 and the effect of modification with phosphomolybdic acid and Ce4+ ions

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2003
    Abd El-Aziz A Said
    Abstract A series of AIPO4,MoO3 (APM) systems with various molybdena loadings (5,50) mol %, same modified with phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) and cerium ions, were prepared by an impregnation method and calcined at 400 °C, except for the samples modified with PMA which were calcined at 350 °C for 4 h. The catalysts were characterized by TG/DTG, XRD, IR spectroscopy, N2 adsorption and electrical conductivity measurements. The surface acidity and basicity of the catalysts were determined by adsorption of pyridine and the dehydration,dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol. The catalytic esterification of acetic acid with ethanol was carried out in a convention fixed bed reactor. The results clearly revealed that the catalyst with a composition of 10 mol % MoO3 (APM10) was the most active and selective catalyst for the production of ethyl acetate. Moreover, the yield of ethyl acetate increases on addition of PMA into APM10 while it decreases on the addition of Ce4+ ions. These results were correlated with structure, semiconductivity and the acid,base properties of the prepared catalysts. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Production of L -methionine by immobilized pellets of Aspergillus oryzae in a packed bed reactor

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2002
    Ying-Jin Yuan
    Abstract Production of L -methionine by immobilized pellets of Aspergillus oryzae in a packed bed reactor was investigated. Based on the determination of relative enzymatic activity in the immobilized pellets, the optimum pH and temperature for the resolution reaction were 8.0 and 60,°C, respectively. The effects of substrate concentration on the resolution reaction were also investigated and the kinetic constants (Km and Vm) of immobilized pellets were found to be 7.99,mmol,dm,3 and 1.38,mmol,dm,3 h,1, respectively. The maximum substrate concentration for the resolution reaction without inhibition was 0.2,mol,dm,3. The L -methionine conversion rate reached 94% and 78% when substrate concentrations were 0.2 and 0.4,mol,dm,3, respectively, at a flow rate of 7.5,cm3,h,1 using the small-scale packed bed reactor developed. The half-life of the L -aminoacylase in immobilized pellets was 70 days in continuous operation. All the results obtained in this paper exhibit a practical potential of using immobilized pellets of Aspergillus oryzae in the production of L -methionine. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Study of operating variables in the transformation of aqueous ethanol into hydrocarbons on an HZSM-5 zeolite

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2002
    Andres T Aguayo
    Abstract With the aim of determining the possibilities of directly upgrading the liquid obtained from carbohydrate fermentation, the effect of operating conditions (temperature, space time, water content in the feed) has been studied in the catalytic transformation of aqueous ethanol into hydrocarbons on an HZSM-5 zeolite in an isothermal fixed bed reactor. Special attention has been paid to the effect of water content on the yield, product distribution and catalyst deactivation. Although deactivation by coke decreases as the water content is increased, this content must be limited at 450,°C and higher temperatures in order to avoid irreversible deactivation of the catalyst by dealumination. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Cationic polymerization in rotating packed bed reactor: Experimental and modeling

    AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2010
    Jian-Feng Chen
    Abstract On the basis of analysis of key engineering factors predominating in cationic polymerization, butyl rubber (IIR) as an example was synthesized by cationic polymerization in the high-gravity environment generated by a rotating packed bed (RPB) reactor. The influence of the rotating speed, packing thickness, and polymerization temperature on the number average molecular weight (Mn) of IIR was studied. The optimum experimental conditions were determined as rotating speed of 1200 r min,1, packing thickness of 40 mm and polymerization temperature of 173 K, where IIR with Mn of 289,000 and unimodal molecular weight distribution of 1.99 was obtained. According to the experimental results and elementary reactions, a model for the prediction of Mn was developed, and the validity of the model was confirmed by the fact that most of the predicted Mns agreed well with the experimental data with a deviation within 10%. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source]


    Chemical-looping combustion process: Kinetics and mathematical modeling

    AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2010
    Ion Iliuta
    Abstract Chemical Looping Combustion technology involves circulating a metal oxide between a fuel zone where methane reacts under anaerobic conditions to produce a concentrated stream of CO2 and water and an oxygen rich environment where the metal is reoxidized. Although the needs for electrical power generation drive the process to high temperatures, lower temperatures (600,800°C) are sufficient for industrial processes such as refineries. In this paper, we investigate the transient kinetics of NiO carriers in the temperature range of 600 to 900°C in both a fixed bed microreactor (WHSV = 2-4 g CH4/h/g oxygen carrier) and a fluid bed reactor (WHSV = 0.014-0.14 g CH4/h per g oxygen carrier). Complete methane conversion is achieved in the fluid bed for several minutes. In the microreactor, the methane conversion reaches a maximum after an initial induction period of less than 10 s. Both CO2 and H2O yields are highest during this induction period. As the oxygen is consumed, methane conversion drops and both CO and H2 yields increase, whereas the CO2 and H2O concentrations decrease. The kinetics parameter of the gas,solids reactions (reduction of NiO with CH4, H2, and CO) together with catalytic reactions (methane reforming, methanation, shift, and gasification) were estimated using experimental data obtained on the fixed bed microreactor. Then, the kinetic expressions were combined with a detailed hydrodynamic model to successfully simulate the comportment of the fluidized bed reactor. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source]


    Encapsulation of nanoparticles by polymerization compounding in a gas/solid fluidized bed reactor

    AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 9 2009
    Babak Esmaeili
    Abstract For the first time, a fluidized bed reactor was used for encapsulating nanoparticles by the polymerization compounding approach using Ziegler,Natta catalysts. The polymerization reaction was carried out using a solvent-free process in a gas-phase reactor. This direct gas,solid reaction greatly simplified collecting the particles of interest after polymerization because none of the extra steps often found in encapsulation processes, such as filtering and drying, were performed in this work. The grafting of the catalyst to the original surface of particles was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Micrographs obtained by transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of a thin layer of polymer, in the order of a few nanometers, around the particles. The thickness of this coating was affected by the operating conditions of the process. The characterization of the modified particles with electron microscopy also revealed that zirconia nanoparticles tend to be coated in an agglomerated state, whereas aluminum particles were mostly individually encapsulated by the polymer. In addition, the effects of temperature and pressure were studied on the encapsulation process and a kinetic analysis was presented based on the available models in the literature. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source]


    A novel inorganic hollow fiber membrane reactor for catalytic dehydrogenation of propane

    AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 9 2009
    Zhentao Wu
    Abstract A novel inorganic hollow fiber membrane reactor (iHFMR) has been developed and applied to the catalytic dehydrogenation of propane to propene. Alumina hollow fiber substrates, prepared by a phase inversion/sintering method, possess a unique asymmetric structure that can be characterized by a very porous inner surface from which finger-like voids extend across ,80% of the fiber cross-section with the remaining 20% consisting of a denser sponge-like outer layer. In contrast to other existing Pd/Ag composite membranes, where an intermediate ,-Al2O3 layer is often used to bridge the Pd/Ag layer and the substrate, the Pd/Ag composite membrane prepared in this study was achieved by coating the Pd/Ag layer directly onto the outer surface of the asymmetric substrate. After depositing submicron-sized Pt (0.5 wt %)/,-alumina catalysts in the finger-like voids of the substrates, a highly compact multifunctional iHFMR was developed. Propane conversion as high as 42% was achieved at the initial stage of the reaction at 723 K. In addition, the space-time yields of the iHFMR were ,60 times higher than that of a fixed bed reactor, demonstrating advantages of using iHFMR for dehydrogenation reactions. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source]


    Nanocoating hybrid polymer films on large quantities of cohesive nanoparticles by molecular layer deposition

    AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009
    Xinhua Liang
    Abstract The conformal coating of ultra-thin aluminum alkoxide (alucone) polymer films on primary silica and titania nanoparticles using molecular layer deposition (MLD) in a fluidized bed reactor from 100 to 160 °C is described. In situ mass spectrometry revealed that the growth of alucone MLD films was self-limiting as a function of the individual trimethylaluminum and ethylene glycol exposures. The composition and highly conformal alucone films throughout the surface of both silica and titania nanoparticles were confirmed. The highest growth rate was observed at the lowest sample temperature. Primary nanoparticles were coated individually despite their strong tendency to aggregate during fluidization. Based on the results of chemical and thermogravimetric analysis, the value of x in the formula of Al(OCH2CH2O)x was estimated to be 1.9. The calculated film density slightly increased from 2.0 ± 0.1 to 2.2 ± 0.1 g/cm3 with the increasing of temperature from 100 to 160 °C. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source]


    Fischer-Tropsch synthesis product grade optimization in a fluidized bed reactor

    AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 8 2006
    Fabiano A. N. Fernandes
    Abstract Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is an important chemical process for the production of liquid fuels and olefins. In recent years, the abundant availability of natural gas and the increasing demand of olefins, gasoline, diesel and waxes have led to a high interest in further developing this process. A mathematical model of a fluidized-bed reactor used for syngas polymerization was developed and the carbon monoxide polymerization was studied from a modeling point of view. Simulation results show that several parameters affect syngas conversion and carbon product distribution, such as operating pressure, superficial gas velocity, bed porosity, and syngas composition. Optimization of liquid hydrocarbon products was done and the best operating conditions for their production were found for an iron catalyst that produces hydrocarbon chains according to a dual mechanism theory. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006 [source]


    Chlorophenol dehalogenation in a magnetically stabilized fluidized bed reactor

    AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2006
    Lisa J. Graham
    Abstract Aromatic halocarbons are often present in contaminated aquifers, surface waters, wastewater streams, soils, and hazardous wastes. The dehalogenation of p-chlorophenol as a model compound in both the aqueous phase and in slurries of contaminated solids using a magnetically stabilized fluidized bed (MSFB) reactor is discussed. Composite palladium-iron (Pd/Fe) media are employed as both catalyst and sacrificial reactant for the reductive dechlorination of p-chlorophenol. Calcium alginate beads impregnated with Pd/Fe granules are fluidized in a recirculating aqueous stream containing either dissolved p-chlorophenol or a slurry of soil contaminated with this chlorocarbon. Magnetic stabilization of the fluidized bed allows substantially higher rates of mass transfer than would otherwise be achievable, and allows circulation of contaminated solids while fluidization media are retained. Anoxic conditions are sustained under a nitrogen purge and the solution pH of 5.8 is maintained by active control to minimize surface fouling by hydroxides, and to minimize mass-transfer resistances resulting from the surface accumulation of hydrogen bubbles. A model of this process is described and the resulting predictions are compared to the experimentally derived data. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006 [source]


    Low-Temperature Atomic Layer-Deposited TiO2 Films with Low Photoactivity

    JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 3 2009
    Xinhua Liang
    Atomic layer deposition (ALD) has been successfully utilized for the conformal and uniform deposition of ultrathin titanium dioxide (TiO2) films on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) particles. The deposition was carried out by alternating reactions of titanium tetraisopropoxide and H2O2 (50 wt% in H2O) at 77°C in a fluidized bed reactor. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the deposition of TiO2 and scanning transmission electron microscopy showed the conformal TiO2 films deposited on polymer particle surfaces. The TiO2 ALD process yielded a growth rate of 0.15 nm/cycle at 77°C. The results of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy suggested that there was a nucleation period, which showed the reaction mechanism of TiO2 ALD on HDPE particles without chemical functional groups. TiO2 ALD films deposited at such a low temperature had an amorphous structure and showed a much weaker photoactivity intensity than common pigment-grade anatase TiO2 particles. [source]


    Hydrodynamic behaviour of a fluidized bed reactor for paper machine whitewater contaminant removal

    THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2010
    Eric Loranger
    Abstract To comply with future stringent environmental regulations, paper mills will need to reduce fresh water consumption and reject loads by closing down their whitewater systems. However, excessive build-up of contaminants will occur affecting paper machine runnability (performance) and paper quality. We propose removing contaminants from paper machine whitewater by adsorption on matrices in a fluidized bed reactor. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of fines and fibres on bed expansion behaviour. Results show that bed expansion follows the Richardson and Zaki correlation but parameters must be modified according to the type of pulp found in the whitewater. Afin de se conformer aux règlements environnementaux rigoureux du futur, les usines de papier doivent réduire leur consommation d'eau douce et leurs déchets en fermant leurs systèmes d'eau blanche. Cependant, une accumulation excessive de contaminants se produit éventuellement, ce qui affecte le fonctionnement des machines de production du papier ainsi que la qualité même du papier. Nous proposons de retirer les contaminants de l'eau blanche des machines de production du papier par un système d'adsorption sur matrices, dans un réacteur à lit fluidisé. L'objectif de cette étude est de déterminer l'effet des matériaux fins et des fibres sur le comportement d'expansion du lit. Les résultats montrent que l'expansion du lit suit la corrélation de Richardson et Zaki mais que les paramètres doivent être modifiés en fonction du type de la pulpe présente dans les eaux blanches. [source]


    A novel continuous reactor for catalytic reduction of NOx,fixed bed simulations

    THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2008
    Terris T. Yang
    Abstract A novel dual-zone fluidized bed reactor was proposed for the continuous adsorption and reduction of NOx from combustion flue gases. The adsorption and reaction behaviour of such a reactor has been simulated in a fixed bed reactor using Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst and propylene reductant with model flue gases. Fe/ZSM-5 exhibited acceptable activity at T,=,350°C and GHSV,=,5000 h,1 when O2 concentration was controlled at levels lower than 1% with a HC to NO molar ratio of about 2:1. XPS and BET surface area measurement revealed the nature of the deactivation of the catalyst. Those performance data demonstrated the feasibility of a continuous dual-zone fluidized bed reactor for catalytic reduction of NOx under lean operating conditions. Un nouveau réacteur à lit fluidisé à double zone est proposé pour l'adsorption et la réduction en continu de NOx à partir de gaz de carneau de combustion. Le comportement d'adsorption et de réaction d'un tel réacteur a été simulé dans un réacteur à lit fixe utilisant un catalyseur Fe/ZSM-5 et un agent réducteur avec des gaz de carneau modèle. Le Fe/ZSM-5 montre une activité acceptable à T,=,350°C et GHSV,=,5000 h,1 lorsque la concentration d'O2 est contrôlée à des niveaux inférieurs à 1% avec un rapport molaire HC,NO d'environ 2:1. La mesure de surface par XPS et BET a permis de caractériser la désactivation du catalyseur. Ces données de performance illustre la faisabilité du réacteur à lit fluidisé à double zone Fe/ZSM-5 pour la réduction catalytique de NOx dans des conditions opératoires pauvres. [source]


    A two-phase model for variable-density fluidized bed reactors with generalized nonlinear kinetics

    THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2000
    Zahra M. Tafreshi
    Abstract 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 , , 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. On a mis au point un modèle basé sur le concept classique à deux phases pour la simulation de la réaction à densité variable avec les cinétiques non linéaires généralisées dans un lit fluidisé bouillonnant. L'influence du paramètre de densité de réaction sur la dynamique des fluides et la performance du réacteur a été étudiée pour quatre types généraux de réaction. Les résultats montrent que le facteur d'expansion a un effet significatif sur les caractéristiques de dynamique des fluides et la conversion de la réaction. Dans tous les types de réactions, de grandes valeurs de variables hydrodynamiques ont été obtenues pour , , 0. Cependant, la conversion de la réaction chute lorsque le facteur d'expansion augmente. Cette tendance est plus prononcée pour des ordres de réaction supérieurs à l'unite. Cela suppose que les opérations en lit fluidisé bouillonnant ne sont probablement pas optimales ni applicables à certains types de réaction. L'analyse comparative entre le type de réaction et les implications pour un réacteur à lit fluidisé bouillonnant est examinée. [source]


    Gas,liquid mass transfer in three-phase inverse fluidized bed reactor with Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids

    ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2010
    V. Sivasubramanian
    Abstract Liquid-phase volumetric mass transfer coefficients, kLa were determined in three-phase inverse fluidized beds of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) spheres fluidized by a countercurrent flow of air and Newtonian (water and glycerol solutions) or non-Newtonian liquids [carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) solutions]. The effects of liquid and gas velocities, particle size, solid loading and addition of organic additives (glycerol and CMC) on the volumetric mass transfer coefficient, kLa were determined. The superficial liquid velocity had a weak effect on the mass transfer whereas the gas flow rate affected the mass transfer positively. kLa increased with increase in particle diameter and decreased with increase in initial bed height (solid loading). kLa decreased as the concentration of glycerol (viscosity) and CMC increased. Empirical correlations are presented to predict the gas,liquid volumetric mass transfer coefficient in terms of operating variables. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]