Gas-Liquid-Solid Volumetric Phase Distribution Estimation in a Cold Slurry Bubble Column System for Hydro-Conversion Processes

Hydro-cracking slurry bubble column design, scale-up, and operation are strongly influenced by a fluid-dynamic parameter known as volumetric phase distribution. This parameter depends on the operating conditions (gas flow, liquid flow, pressure, and temperature) as well as on the gas, liquid, and solid physical properties. Experiments were carried out at ambient temperature and atmosphere pressure (cold conditions) in a 120mm inner diameter plexiglas column (without any gas sparger) with air and CO2, mineral oil, and coke with average particle sizes of 630 microns. The column was operated to up-flow continuous recirculation with superficial gas velocities ranging from 3 to 10 cm/s and a constant liquid-solid flow about 29 l/h. Experimental measurements were done by two methods: direct phase trapping and pressure drop. Measurement results indicate that the volumetric gas phase is highly affected by the superficial gas velocity. However, the superficial gas velocity effect on solid concentration is negligible. The experimental results were also compared with experimental data from other authors, obtaining a good agreement. A gas volumetric phase correlation was proposed.