Three-dimensional full loop simulation of solids circulation in an interconnected fluidized bed

• Solids circulation rates (SCRs) are predicted through 3-D full loop simulation.
• Change of SCR is analyzed by system pressure balance.
• SCR is mainly dependent on the operating gas velocity in the riser.
• Stable SCR is obtained as gas velocity in the bubbling bed is higher than umf.

3-D full loop CFD simulation of solids circulation is conducted in a complicated circulating-fluidized bed, which consists of a riser, a bubbling bed, a cyclone and a loop-seal. The effects of operating gas velocity, particle size and total solids inventory on the solids circulation rate are investigated based on the system pressure balance of an interconnected fluidized bed. CFD results indicate that the gas velocity in the riser plays a dominant role in controlling the solids circulation rate, whilst the gas velocity in the pot-seal influences in a narrow operating range. The solids circulation rate is strongly influenced by particle size and total solids inventory, but becomes insensitive to the operating conditions in the bubbling bed when the gas velocity is higher than the minimum fluidization velocity.

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