FLUIDIZED-BED AND OTHER MOVING-PARTICLE REACTORS FOR FLUID-SOLID REACTIONS

Fluidized-Bed and Other Moving-Particle Reactors for Fluid-Solid Reactions 

In this chapter, we consider reactors for fluid-solid reactions in which the solid particles are in motion (relative to the wall of the vessel) in an arbitrary pattern brought about by upward flow of the fluid. Thus, the solid particles are neither in ideal flow, as in the treatment in Chapter 22, nor fixed in position, as in Chapter 21. We focus mainly on the fluidized-bed reactor as an important type of moving-particle reactor. Books dealing with fluidization and fluidized-bed reactors include those by Kunii and Levenspiel (1991), Yates (1983), and Davidson and Harrison (1963). 

After introducing some types of moving-particle reactors, their advantages and disadvantages, and examples of reactions conducted in them, we consider particular design features. These relate to fluid-particle interactions (extension of the treatment in Chapter 21) and to the complex flow pattern of fluid and solid particles. The latter requires development of a hydrodynamic model as a precursor to a reactor model. We describe these in detail only for particular types of fluidized-bed reactors. 

---

This chapter is devoted to fixed-bed catalytic reactors (FBCR), and is the first of four chapters on reactors for multiphase reactions. The importance of catalytic reactors in general stems from the fact that, in the chemical industry, catalysis is the rule rather than the exception. Subsequent chapters deal with reactors for noncatalytic fluid-solid reactions, fluidized- and other moving-particle reactors (both catalytic and noncatalytic), and reactors for fluid-fluid reactions. 

---