Journal of Chemical Engineering & Process Technology
Open Access

Abstract

Hydrodynamic Characteristic of Three-Phase (Liquid-Liquid-Solid) Fluidized Beds

Thamer J. Mohammed, Abbas H. Sulaymon and Amer A. Abdul-Rahmun

This work aims to study the hydrodynamic characteristic of three-phase fluidized beds (water, kerosene, spherical plastic or cylindrical PVC particles). The hydrodynamic parameters were investigated (phase hold-up, droplet diameter, droplet rising velocity, particle types and sizes, holes diameter of the liquid distributor, continuous and dispersed phase velocities. The experimental work was carried out using QVF glass 0.106 m I.D. and 2 m height. Three distributors with whole diameters (2.5, 5, 7 mm) were used. Plastic particles with diameters (8, 15 mm) and PVC particles (3.34 mm) were used as a solid phase. Two methods (quick, closing valves and pressure drop method) were used to measure the continuous, dispersed and solid hold-up. A cine camera was used to measure the droplet diameter and rising velocity. It was found that the droplet diameter and rising velocity increase with increasing superficial continuous and dispersed velocities. A relationships between the dispersed phase hold-up, droplet diameter and rising velocity with continuous and dispersed superficial velocities respectively were obtained Dimensionless correlation for the prediction of the droplet rising velocity was developed.