Search

The aim of this work was the experimental evaluation of different friction factor correlations for water flow through packed beds of spherical and non-spherical particles at ambient temperature. The experiments were performed by measuring the pressure drop across the bed. Packed beds made of monosized glass spherical particles of seven different diameters were used, as well as beds made of 16 fractions of quartz filtration sand obtained by sieving (polydisperse non-spherical particles). The range of bed voidages was 0.359–0.486, while the range of bed particle Reynolds numbers was from 0.3 to 286 for spherical particles and from 0.1 to 50 for non-spherical particles. The obtained results were compared using a number of available literature correlations. In order to improve the correlation results for spherical particles, a new simple equation was proposed in the form of Ergun’s equation, with modified coefficients. The new correlation had a mean absolute deviation between experimental and calculated values of pressure drop of 9.04%. For non-spherical quartz filtration sand particles the best fit was obtained using Ergun’s equation, with a mean absolute deviation of 10.36%. Surface-volume diameter (dSV) necessary for correlating the data for filtration sand particles was calculated based on correlations for dV = f(dm) and Ψ = f(dm). [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. ON172022]

The aim of this work was the experimental investigation of the particle friction factor for air flow through packed bed of particles at ambient and elevated temperatures. The experiments were performed by measuring the pressure drop across the packed bed, heated to the desired temperature by hot air. Glass spherical particles of seven different diameters were used. The temperature range of the air flowing through the packed bed was from 20ºC to 350ºC and the bed voidages were from 0.3574 to 0.4303. The obtained results were correlated using a number of available literature correlations. The overall best fit of all of the experimental data was obtained using Ergun [1] equation, with mean absolute deviation of 10.90%. Ergun`s equation gave somewhat better results in correlating the data at ambient temperature with mean absolute deviation of 9.77%, while correlation of the data at elevated temperatures gave mean absolute deviation of 12.38%. The vast majority of the correlations used gave better results when applied to ambient temperature data than to the data at elevated temperatures. Based on the results obtained, Ergun [1] equation is proposed for friction factor calculation both at ambient and at elevated temperatures. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. ON172022]

In this paper the process of the copper (II) sulphate monohydrate from copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate (also known as a Blue vitriol or Bluestone) production was analyzed. Copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate is one of the most important copper salts which has been known since the ancient Egyptians. In the nineteenth century its application as a fungicide was discovered which provoked wide industrial production. Molecule of the copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate is a crystalohydrate with five water molecules linked by chemical bonds to a molecule of the copper (II) sulphate. Copper (II) sulphate exists as a series of compounds that differ in their degree of hydratation. The anhydrous form is a pale green or gray-white powder, whereas the pentahydrate (CuSO4•5H2O), the most commonly encountered salt, is bright blue. In order to obtain copper (II) sulphate monohydrate from copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate four water molecules need to be removed. To determine the optimum temperature and time required for the removal of four water molecules from a molecule of pentahydrate in this work thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis was performed. Thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis - dehydration of copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate is done using simultaneous TG-DSC thermal analyzer DTG-Q600 SDT from TA Instruments. Analyzes was carried out for two type of samples, the sample containing particles of the average diameter equal to 0.17 mm and the particles of the average diameter 0.5 mm. In addition, fluidization and drying curve was determined using a semi-industrial fluidization column. On top, the industrial fluidization column aimed to produce 300 tones per month of copper (II) sulphate monohydrate was designed. Material and energy calculations were performed using software packages Simprosys 3.0 and SuperPro Designer 5.1. Simprosys 3.0 is a software package designed for the modeling and simulation of a drying process as well as for 20 different unit operations. SuperPro Designer 5.1 facilitates modeling, evaluation and optimization of different industrial processes including drying. These softwares were applied for the calculation of the air flow rate, heat exchange and for the scoping of a dryer.

Software for chemical processes modeling and simulation, in the past few decades, play an important role in the development of chemical-process industry with their growing capabilities and wide range of application. Usage of process simulators in Serbia for the process design is very limited. This paper gives a brief overview of the numerous process simulators that are used in the chemical-process industry today. The conceptual design is responsible for most of the investment costs in chemical process industry. Importance of precise design on preliminary level is obvious. Wrong decisions made at the conceptual level could be carried out throughout the chain in process design to the detailed design procedures and procurement of equipment. Although preliminary design phase comprises only about 2% of the total cost of the project, it contributes significantly to the reduction of cost of the project by more than 30%. Therefore process simulators play important role in elimination of unnecessary errors in basic process design. Here is also shown a case study of parallel process simulated in different process simulators which tests the results, the reliability and usefulness of these programs in solving specific engineering tasks. Comparison of given simulation results confirm that the modern process simulators are at high level of confidence, no matter they are based on different models, equations, methods, operations, interfaces or data bases. Usage of software speeds up the arrival of optimized solution during the design and the operational procedures. Therefore software have significant impact on reducing time of pre-project phase such as research, conceptual design, and proving project abilities. It’s development lead to faster commercialization of industrial ideas. [Projekat Ministartsva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 34009]

Wall-to-bed momentum, heat and mass transfer in vertical liquid-solids flow, as well as in single phase flow, were studied. The aim of this investigation was to establish the analogy among those phenomena. Also, effect of particles concentration on momentum, heat and mass transfer was studied. The experiments in hydraulic transport were performed in a 25.4 mm I.D. cooper tube equipped with a steam jacket, using spherical glass particles of 1.94 mm in diameter and water as a transport fluid. The segment of the transport tube used for mass transfer measurements was inside coated with benzoic acid. In the hydraulic transport two characteristic flow regimes were observed: turbulent and parallel particle flow regime. The transition between two characteristic regimes (γ*=0), occurs at a critical voidage ε≈0.85. The vertical two-phase flow was considered as the pseudofluid, and modified mixture-wall friction coefficient (fw) and modified mixture Reynolds number (Rem) were introduced for explanation of this system. Experimental data show that the wall-to-bed momentum, heat and mass transfer coefficients, in vertical flow of pseudofluid, for the turbulent regime are significantly higher than in parallel regime. Wall-to-bed, mass and heat transfer coefficients in hydraulic transport of particles were much higher then in single-phase flow for lower Reynolds numbers (Re15000), there was not significant difference. The experimental data for wall-to-bed momentum, heat and mass transfer in vertical flow of pseudofluid in parallel particle flow regime, show existing analogy among these three phenomena. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 172022]

The aim of this study was to calculate the effective diffusion coefficient based on experimentally recorded drying curves for two masonry clays obtained from different localities. The calculation method and two computer programs based on the mathematical calculation of the second Fick’s law and Cranck diffusion equation were developed. Masonry product shrinkage during drying was taken into consideration for the first time and the appropriate correction was entered into the calculation. The results presented in this paper show that the values of the effective diffusion coefficient determined by the designed computer programs (with and without the correction for shrinkage) have similar values to those available in the literature for the same coefficient for different clays. Based on the mathematically determined prognostic value of the effective diffusion coefficient, it was concluded that, whatever the initial mineralogical composition of the clay, there is 90% agreement of the calculated prognostic drying curves with the experimentally recorded ones. When a shrinkage correction of the masonry products is introduced into the calculation step, this agreement is even better.

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is an organic compound, which is used as starting material in the production of polymers and as sterilizing agent for thermolabile materials. Although ethylene oxide is not common as an organic pollutant, its removal from numerous emission sources (e.g. ethylene oxide production plants or food and pharmaceutical sterilizing units) is of the crucial importance because of its mutagenic, teratogenic and cancerogenic effect on human health. The objective of this paper is the experimental investigation of ethylene oxide (EtO) absorption in diluted aqueous solution of sulfuric acid in order to evaluate the applicability of this procedure as well as to obtain project parameters for industrial plant realization. It was found that absorption is suitable as the fist step in the purification treatment of high EtO concentrations in the emission gases. According to the literature data, the basic parameter that defines the scrubber efficiency is the contact time, i.e. the ratio of packing height in scrubber and velocity of gas mixture. To investigate the characteristics of wet treatment in a broad range of contact time, part of experimental studies were conducted in the system with two and with three scrubbers in series. The obtained experimental results show that the high degree of EtO removal can be achieved (>98%) when the contact time is sufficiently long (about 25 s). The process is effective until the concentration of formed glycol in the solution reaches value of about 20%. The process is safe and there is no danger of ignition and explosion of air and EtO mixture, although at the entrance to the scrubber EtO concentrations are significantly above the lower explosive limit.

The dynamics of ethylene oxide sorption and desorption on Al2O3 sorbent were investigated. The investigations of ethylene oxide sorption on Al2O3 show that significant sorption appeared above 125°C. The removal of sorbed ethylene oxide from Al2O3 was achieved by continuous increasing of the temperature up to 450°C in air stream. The analysis of desorbed products show that 90% of adsorbed ethylene oxide is converted to CO2 and the rest consists of the three derivatives of ethylene oxide. The exact composition of desorbed organic products will be determined in further investigation. The desorption temperature profiles point out the presence of two exothermic picks, as was confirmed by detection of CO2 and derivates of ethylene oxide at these temperatures. Investigation of textural characteristics and thermal stability of Al2O3 sorbent show that there are no changes of any characteristics of Al2O3 in sorption/desorption operating temperatures regimes. Only at 700°C the specific surface area of Al2O3 decreases of about 10%. This indicates that the investigated Al2O3 is convenient material for removal of ethylene oxide by sorption.

A fluid bed dryer with inert particles represents a very attractive alternative to other drying technologies according to the main efficiency criteria, i.e. specific water evaporation rate, specific heat consumption and speci­fic air consumption. A high drying efficiency results from the large con­tact area and from the large temperature difference between the inlet and outlet air. A rapid mixing of the particles leads to nearly isothermal conditions throughout the bed. A fluid bed dryer with inert particles was used for drying of slurries. Experiments were performed in a cylindrical column 215 mm in diameter with glass spheres as inert particles. In this paper, results of drying experi­ments with slurries of Zineb fungicide, copper hydroxide, calcium carbo­nate and pure water used as the feed material are presented. In our fluidized bed we successfully dried a number of other materials such as: fungicides and pesticides (Ziram, Propineb, Mangozeb, copper oxy-chloride, copper oxy-sulphate, Bordeaux mixture), other inorganic compounds (calcium sulphate, cobalt carbonate, electrolytic copper, sodium chloride), and a complex compound (organo-bentonite). The effects of operating conditions on dryer throughput and product quality were investigated. Main performance criteria, i.e. specific water evaporation rate, specific heat consumption and specific air consumption, were quantified. Temperature profile along the bed was mapped, and nearly isothermal conditions were found due to thorough mixing of the particles. Analysis of drying and energy efficiencies as a function of inlet and outlet air temperature difference was performed for deeper insight in dryer behavior and for optimizing dryer design and operation from an energy point of view. A simple mathematical model based on an overall heat balance predicts the dryer performance quite well. The industrial prototype with fluid bed of 0.8 m in diameter and capacity 650 kg of evaporated moisture per hour was realized on the basis of presented investigations on pilot unit. The most important results are 50% decrease in energy consumption and no-additional grinding of dried product in comparison with old tunnel drying technology.

The removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from numerous emission sources is of crucial importance due to more rigorous demands on air quality. Different technologies can be used to treat the VOCs from effluent gases: absorption, physical adsorption, open flame combustion, thermal and catalytic incineration. Their appropriateness for the specific process depends on several factors such as efficiency, energy consumption, secondary pollution, capital investments etc. The distinctive features of the catalytic combustion are high efficiency and selectivity toward be­nign products, low energy consumption and absence of secondary polluti­on. The supported noble catalysts are widely used for catalytic incineration due to their low ignition temperatures and high thermal and chemical stability. In our combined system adsorption and desorption are applied in the spouted bed with draft tube (SBDT) unit. The annular zone, loaded with sorbent, was divided in adsorption and desorption section. Draft tube enabled sorbent recirculation between sections. Combustion of desorbed gases to CO2 and water vapor are realized in additive catalytic reactor. This integrated device provided low concentrations VOCs removal with reduced energy consumption. Experiments were conducted on a pilot unit of 220 m3/h nominal capacity. The sorbent was activated carbon, type K81/B - Trayal Corporation, Krusevac. A sphere shaped commercial Pt/Al2O3 catalyst with "egg-shell" macro-distribution was used for the investigation of xylene deep oxidation. Within this paper the investigations of removal of xylene vapors, a typical pollutant in production of liquid pesticides, in combined adsorber/desorber/catalytic reactor system is presented.

Mass transfer coefficients in single phase flow, liquid fluidized beds and vertical hydraulic transport of spherical inert particles were studied experimentally using 40 mm and 25.4 mm diameter columns. The mass transfer data were obtained by studying the transfer of benzoic acid from a tube segment to water using the dissolution method. In all runs, the mass transfer rates were determined in the presence of spherical glass particles 1.2, 1.94 and 2.98 mm in diameter. The influence of different parameters, such as liquid velocity, particles size and voids on mass transfer in fluidized beds and hydraulic transport are presented. The data for mass transfer in all the investigated systems are shown using the Sherwood number (Sh) and mass transfer factor - Colburn factor (jD) - as a function of Reynolds number (Re) for the particles and for the column. The data for mass transfer in particulate fluidized beds and for vertical hydraulic transport of spherical particles were correlated by treating the flowing fluid-particle mixture as a pseudo fluid by introducing a modified mixture Reynolds number (Rem). A new correlation for the mass transfer factor in fluidized beds and in vertical hydraulic transport is proposed.

A model for predicting the particle circulation rate in a draft tube spouted bed dryer with inert particles is proposed and verified. The calculation algorithm requires three input values: the gas velocity in the draft tube one data point for the static pressure in the draft tube, and the pressure gradient in the annulus. The particle circulation rate can be estimated by solving the continuity and momentum equations for turbulent accelerating two-phase flow. The numerical solution is based on an iterative procedure until the assumed value of the particle circulation rate produces the prescribed value of the fluid static pressure at a certain axial position. Experiments were performed in a cylindrical column of 215 mm diameter with a draft tube of 70 mm diameter and length of 900 mm. Polyetylene pellets were used as the inert particles with a diameter of 3.3 mm, a density of 921 kg/m3 and a sphericity of 0.873. The model predictions of the particle circulation rate are in good agreement with the experimental data.

Active transition alumina powders were obtained by flash calcination of gibbsite in a reactor for pneumatic transport in the dilute, two-phase flow regime in the temperature interval from 883 to 943 K with a residence time between 0.4 and 0.9 s. The results of X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the activated alumina samples were either microcrystalline or amorphous. From nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, the specific surface areas of all samples were calculated by the BET method. Using the sorption data, the fractal dimension of the surface of the alumina samples was calculated according to a modified FHH method. By application of fractal geometry, using the values of the fractal dimension of the surface and of the specific surface area, the effective surface areas of the active aluminas were calculated for the adsorption of molecules having a cross-section area greater than that of the nitrogen molecule.

The pseudo–fluid concept has been applied for the prediction of the pressure gradient and voidage in vertical liquid-coarse solids flow. Treating the flowing mixture as a single homogenous fluid, the correlation for the friction coefficient of the suspension–wall was developed, as was the correlation between the true voidage and the apparent (volumetric) voidage in the transport tube. Experiments were performed using water and spherical glass particles 1.20, 1.94 and 2.98 mm in diameter in a transport tube of 24 mm in diameter. The loading ratio (Gp/Gf) was varied between 0.05 and 1.05 and the fluid superficial velocity was between 0.4 Ut and 4.95 Ut where Ut represents the single particle terminal velocity. The voidage ranged from 0.648 to 0.951 for these ratios. Experimental data for the pressure gradient and voidage from the literature agree well with the proposed correlations.

The mass transfer coefficient between fluid and an immersed sphere in liquid packed and fluidized beds of inert spherical particles have been studied experimentally using a column 40 mm in diameter. The mass transfer data were obtained by studying the transfer of benzoic acid from the immersed sphere to flowing water using the dissolution method. In all runs, the mass transfer rates were determined in the presence of inert glass particles 0.50-2.98 mm in diameter. The influence of different parameters, such as: liquid velocity, particles size and bed void age, on the mass transfer in packed and fluidized beds is presented. The obtained experimental data for mass transfer in the packed and particulate fluidized bed were correlated by a single correlation, thus confirming the similarity between the two systems.

The removal of ethylene oxide (EtO) in a combined system adsorber desorber/catalytic reactor has been investigated. The combined system was a modified draft tube spouted bed reactor loaded with Pt/Al2O3 catalyst. The annular region was divided into two sectons, the "hot" section contained about 7 % of catalyst and it behaved as a desorber and catalytic incinerator while the "cold" section, with the rest of the catalyst, behaved as a sorber. The catalyst particles were circulated between the two sections by use of a draft tube riser. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) program package FLUENT was used for simulations of the operation of the combined system. In addition, a one-dimensional numerical model for the operation of the packed bed reactor was compared with the corresponding FLUENT calculations. The results of the FLUENT simulations are in very good agreement with the experimental observations, as well as with the results of the one-dimensional numerical simulations.

Mass transfer in fluidized beds is an important operation for separation processes. Two effects can be achieved by using fluidized beds in mass transfer processes increasing interface area and relative movement between the phases. These effects are both desirable because they lead to greater process rates. This paper presents an experimental investigation regarding mass transfer from the wall of a column to the fluid in a fluidized bed of inert spherical particles. The experiments were conducted in column 40 mm in diameter with spherical particles 0,8-3 mm in diameter and water as one fluidizing fluid. The method of dissolution of benzoic acid was used to provide very low mass flux. The average wall-to-fluid mass transfer coefficients were determined for two systems: single-phase fluid flow and a fluidized bed of inert particles The measurements encompassed a Reynolds number range from 100-4000 for single-phase flow and 600-4000 in fluidized beds. The mass transfer coefficients for both systems were calculated from weight loss of benzoic acid. The effects of superficial liquid velocity and particle diameter on the mass transfer coefficient were investigated. It was found that mass transfer was more intensive in the fluidized bed in comparison with single phase flow. The best conditions for mass transfer were reached at a minimum fluidization velocity, when the mass transfer coefficient had the greatest value. The experimental data were correlated in the form: jd = f(Re), where jd is the dimensionless mass transfer factor and Re the Reynolds number.

The dehidration kinetics of gibbsite to activated alumina was investigated at four different temperatures between 883 K and 943 K in a reactor for pneumatic transport in the dilute two phase flow regime. The first order kinetic behavior of this reactionwith respect to the water content of the solid material was proved and an activation energy of 66.5 kJ/mol was calculated. The effect of residence time on the water content is given and compared with theoretical calculations. The water content and other characteristics of the products depend on two main parameters, one is the short residence time and the other is the temperature of the dehydration of gibbsite. The short residence time of the gibbsite particles in a reactor for pneumatic transport prevents crystallization into new phases, as established from XRD analysis data. Reactive amorphous alumina powder, with a specific surface area of 250 m2/g, suitable as a precursor for catalyst supports is obtained.

A fluid bed dryer with inert particles was used for the drying of suspensions and pastes. The effects of the operating conditions on the dryer throughput and on the product quality were investigated. Experiments were performed in a cylindrical column 215 mm in diameter and 1200 mm in height with 0.925 mm diameter glass spheres as the fluidizing media. Cineb fungicide, copper hydroxide and pure water were used as the feed material. With respect to the main efficiency criteria, i.e., specific water evaporation rate, specific heat consumption and specific air consumption, a fluid bed dryer with inert particles represents a very attractive alternative to other drying technologies. A high drying efficiency results from the large contact area and from the large temperature difference between the inlet and outlet air. A rapid mixing of the particles, due to aggregative fluidization and mechanical agitation, leads to nearly isothermal conditions throughout the bed. In our experiments, suspensions and very dense pastes were successfully treated. Suspension and product hold-up in the bed varies between 6 and 8 % by mass and a product with the same particle size as the raw material is obtained.