THE INFLUENCE OF AC ELECTRIC FIELDS ON BUBBLES IN GAS-SOLIDS FLUIDIZED BEDS

摘要

The reduction of bubble size in gas-solids fluidized beds can substantially improve the selectivity and conversion of chemical reactions in these systems. We apply moderate strength (0-5 kV/cm), low frequency (1-100 Hz), electric fields between thin wire electrodes and show a decrease of the average bubble diameter is effected: up to 55% for Geldart A particles, and up to 95% for Geldart B particles. Video analysis of bubbles injected into a fluidized bed with electric fields shows that bubble diameter decreases, bubble number increases, and total bubble volume decreases.