INFLUENCE OF PARTICLE-SIZE DISTRIBUTION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF FLUIDIZED-BED REACTORS

This paper reviews recent results obtained in our laboratory and elsewhere which show the importance of particle size distribution (PSD) in fluidized beds. Fines content in itself, often used as a descriptor, is not a sufficient parameter to characterize the PSD effect. Broadening the PSD affects gas flow through the dense phase, produces smaller bubbles, leads to more particles in the dilute phase and causes earlier transition to the turbulent hydrodynamic regime of fluidization. Chemical conversion is therefore enhanced by broadening the PSD, and the enhancement increases when the bed operates in the turbulent regime.