Accepted Manuscript

Flow characteristics in a horizontal liquid–solid circulating

fluidized bed

Feng Jiang, Pengli Zhao, Guopeng Qi, Na Li, Haojie Li, Teng
Jiang, Xiulun Li

PII: S0032-5910(18)30784-8
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.powtec.2018.09.057
Reference: PTEC 13731
To appear in: Powder Technology
Received date: 31 March 2018
Revised date: 2 September 2018
Accepted date: 21 September 2018

Please cite this article as: Feng Jiang, Pengli Zhao, Guopeng Qi, Na Li, Haojie Li, Teng
Jiang, Xiulun Li , Flow characteristics in a horizontal liquid–solid circulating fluidized
bed. Ptec (2018), doi:10.1016/j.powtec.2018.09.057

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 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

Flow characteristics in a horizontal liquid–

solid circulating fluidized bed
Feng Jianga, *, Pengli Zhaoa, Guopeng Qib, Na Lia, Haojie Li a, Teng Jianga, Xiulun Li a

a
School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350,

China

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b
School of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Tianjin Vocational Institute,

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Tianjin 300410, China

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*Corresponding Author
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Tel: (+86) 22-8740-1722.

Email address: jiangfeng@tju.edu.cn.

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ABSTRACT

A horizontal liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed with a transparent single pipe is

designed and built to investigate flow characteristics. The effects of the operating

parameters, such as the fluid velocity, amount of added particles, particle types and

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pipe inner diameter on particle distribution and pressure drop in the horizontal test

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pipe, are systematically investigated by using the image measurement and acquisition

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system of a charge-coupled device (CCD) and a differential pressure transducer.

Results show that the solid holdup increases with the increase in fluid velocity,
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amount of added particles and pipe inner diameter, but decreases with the increase in
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the sediment velocity of particle.

The non-uniform degree decreases with the increase in fluid velocity, but fluctuates
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with the increase in the amount of added particles. The particles with small sediment
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velocity are fluidized and distributed better. The non-uniform degree increases
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initially and then decreases with the increase in pipe inner diameter.

The pressure drop ratio is not always positive and decreases generally with the
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increase in fluid velocity, but fluctuates with the increase in the amount of added

particles, the sediment velocity of particle and the pipe inner diameter. The amplitude

and laws of fluctuation depend on particle types.

The difference in pressure drop ratio decreases apparently with the increase in fluid

velocity, but fluctuates slightly with the increase in the amount of added particles. The
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difference in pressure drop ratio generally decreases with the increase in pipe inner

diameter.

Phase diagrams are established to display the variation ranges of the operating

parameters for particle distribution and pressure drop. The results can be used to

select conditions for relatively uniform particle distribution in the horizontal

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circulating fluidized bed.

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Keywords: Particle distribution; Pressure drop; Liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed;

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Horizontal pipe; Heat transfer enhancement; Fouling preventing and descaling
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1. Introduction

Fouling of heat transfer surfaces can cause serious operating and maintenance

problems, thus affecting enormous costs [1, 2]. This problem calls for research on

characterization of fouling deposition and development of appropriate fouling

mitigation methods.

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Circulating fluidized bed heat exchanger, an online self-cleaning and heat transfer

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enhancing technology, has been successfully applied in industries [3-5] due to its

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features of fouling prevention and heat transfer enhancement, which requires less

investment and maintenance costs than other methods such as changing the geometric
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structure or surface material of heat transfer tubes [6]. The addition of particulate
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material to heat exchanger can impact the heated surface and remove any small

deposits, hence preventing the buildup of a scale layer [7]. Wen [8] reported that the
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vapor–liquid–solid three-phase flow boiling could maintain a high heat transfer

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coefficient for more than 1500 h because the solid particles sheared the heat transfer
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wall and kept it clean.

Based on fouling prevention and removal, collisions between the wall and the
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particles are of great importance to the performance in circulating fluidized bed heat

exchangers [9, 10]. The particles rebound from the wall because of elastic collisions,

and agitate the fluid near the wall with their motion, eroding the boundary layer on the

heated surface. Thus, the research on the particle distribution has great significance to

the multiphase flow heat transfer enhancement and fouling preventing.

Li [11] studied the particle distribution in a liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed

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evaporator; the result showed that the high circulation flow rate and height of the

baffle led to a more uniform particle distribution in the down-flow bed. Zheng [12]

conducted experiments to analyze the particle distribution in a liquid–solid circulating

fluidized bed riser by using an optical fiber probe; the result indicated that the particle

density is an important factor to affect the flow structure. As reported by Sang [13],

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the excess superficial fluid velocity ( U l -U t ) is a more appropriate parameter to

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evaluate the effects of the particle properties on the solid holdup in a liquid–solid

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circulating fluidized bed riser. Qi [14] adopted an Eulerian multiphase model to

simulate the liquid–solid two-phase flow in tube bundle heat exchanger. An increase
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in the fluid velocity and volume fraction of solid phase causes a more uniform particle
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distribution. Razzak [15] carried out an Eulerian-Eulerian two-phase model and

investigated the influence of the particle types on the liquid–solid two-phase flow. The
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results agreed well with the experimental data.

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In circulating fluidized bed heat exchangers, adding particles may increase the
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energy consumption. Thus an investigation on the pressure drop of multiphase flow is

crucial to a circulating fluidized bed heat exchanger.

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Zheng [16] conducted a pressure balance analysis and derived a dimensionless

empirical correlation for the solid holdups in the riser and a semi-empirical equation

for pressure drop to successfully predict the stable operating conditions in the liquid–

solid circulating fluidized bed. Hashizume [17, 18] investigated the pressure drop

component ratios consisting of total pressure drop in risers of liquid–solid circulating

fluidized beds and obtained a correlation between the friction factor of pressure drop
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and modified j-factor which is expressed in terms of heat transfer coefficients.

The abovementioned studies, both experimental and numerical, mainly

concentrated on the particle distribution and pressure drop of vertical circulating

fluidized beds. Due to the effect of gravity, the flow characteristics of horizontal

circulating fluidized beds may differ from vertical tubes. With the development of

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petrochemical industry and fluid transportation, the investigation on particle

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distribution and pressure drop in horizontal circulating fluidized beds has attracted

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considerable attention and a few studies have been reported.

Jiang [19] discussed the particle distribution of a horizontal multi-tube circulating

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fluidized bed with the effects of operating parameters. The results denoted that the
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increase in the circulation flow rate and amount of added particles was favorable to

the particle distribution, but the great diameter and density of particle would not be
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recommended. Liu [20] studied the particle distribution of a single pipe horizontal
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circulating fluidized bed with the spiral flow generator. The results showed that the
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spiral flow generator which was properly placed in the pipe might effectively improve

the uniform particle distribution. Qi [21] adopted an Eulerian multiphase model to

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simulate the liquid–solid two-phase flow in horizontal tube bundle heat exchanger.

The results showed that the uniform particle distribution was obtained in high fluid

velocity which was accompanied with greater dynamic pressure drop. Moreover, an

increase in particle diameter or density brings about an uneven particle distribution

and a significant pressure drop. Monji [22] examined the effects of operating

parameters on the pressure drop of horizontal circulating fluidized bed with a single
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pipe. The results showed that a uniform distribution leads to a decrease in pressure

drop; this decrease was analyzed using a uniform two-phase model and experimental

results. Ohira [23] discussed and compared the pressure drop of a slush nitrogen flow

in horizontal circular pipes with inner diameters of 10 and 15 mm. The result showed

that the ranges of flow velocity and solid fraction, in which pressure drop reduction

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occurs, differ depending on pipe diameter.

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In this study, an experimental study is carried out in a cold model and transparent

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horizontal liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed using the advantages of visualization.

The main aim of the research is to experimentally study the particle distribution and
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pressure drop in a horizontal pipe under different operating conditions such as the
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fluid velocity, amount of added particles, particle types and pipe inner diameter. The

CCD and the StreamPix data acquisition software are used to measure and record the
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fluidization and distribution of particles for explaining the experimental results, which
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may serve as a valuable reference for the industrial applications of horizontal

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circulating fluidized bed heat exchangers.

2. Experiments
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2.1 Experimental apparatus and procedure

The experimental setup is illustrated in Fig. 1. The setup consists of a centrifugal

pump, electromagnetic flowmeter, horizontal test pipe, liquid–solid separator, particle

collector, and data acquisition system. The horizontal test pipe is made of organic

glass of 620 mm in length.

The CCD image measurement and data acquisition system consists of a CCD
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camera, computer and the digital video recording software Stream Pix-5-S-STD; these

devices are used to capture the fluidization and movement of solid particles in the

system. The type of CCD camera is GT1920 with a frame frequency of 40.7 fps and a

resolution of 1936×1456. The movement image of the particles in the horizontal test

pipe can be captured within several seconds at the position in the experiment.

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The pressure measurement system consists of a differential pressure transducer and

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paperless recorder. The type of differential pressure transducer is SM9320DP, and the

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accuracy is ±0.5% FS. The type of paperless recorder is Mik-200D, and the accuracy

is ±0.2% FS. The differential pressure transducer in the experiment is placed on both
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ends of the horizontal test pipe.
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A certain amount of solid particles is first added to the system. Then, water is added

to the system to fill the entire equipment. The frequency modulator is regulated to
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adjust to the specified circulation flow rate. The circulation flow rate and pressure
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drop are recorded when the liquid–solid two-phase flow reaches a steady state. The
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moving images of the liquid–solid two-phase flow are captured using the CCD

camera at the position.

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2.2 Experimental materials

Water and solid particles are used as the liquid and solid phases, respectively. The

types of particle are listed in Table 1.

Table 1 Types and properties of particle

Number Particle Equivalent diameter Density Sediment velocity a

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(mm) (kg·m–3) (m·s–1)

1 POM1 (spherical) 3.15 1390 0.207

2 POM2 (spherical) 4.1 1390 0.219

3 POM3 (spherical) 5.5 1390 0.253

4 GB (spheroid) 4.5 2500 0.448

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a: the sediment velocity in water is measured at 20 °C under atmospheric pressure.

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2.3. Experimental parameters and measurement methods
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In this experiment, the operating parameters include the fluid velocity, amount of

added particles, particle types, and pipe inner diameter. The target parameters include
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the particle distribution and pressure drop of the horizontal test pipe.

Circulation flow rate Q is measured by an electromagnetic flowmeter type LDG-50;

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and the measuring range is 2–40 m3/h and the precision grade is 0.5. The fluid
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velocities are set to 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, and 2.0 m/s when the circulation flow rates are
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adjusted to specific values.

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The amount of added particles ε is the ratio of the volume of solid particles to the
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total volume of the liquid–solid two-phase flow. The amounts of added particles are

set to 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%.

The inner diameters of horizontal test pipe are 25 mm×2.5 mm, 32 mm×3 mm,

38 mm×3 mm, 45 mm×3 mm, and 50 mm×3 mm.

2.4. Estimating methods

The particle distribution of the horizontal circulating fluidized bed is asymmetrical.

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Therefore, the vertical cross section of the horizontal test pipe is divided into three

sections, as shown in Fig. 2. The solid holdup in each section can be calculated as

follows:

nsi  v
 si  , (1)
Vi

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V1  V3  0.2289ld i ,
2
(2)

V2  0.3272ld i ,
2
(3)

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where  si represents the solid holdup of i # section; nsi is the number of particles of

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i # section; v is the volume of each particle; l is the measured length of horizontal
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test pipe; V1 , V2 , and V3 are the volumes of measured part of three sections,

respectively, and d i is the inner diameter of the horizontal test pipe.

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The non-uniform degree M is used to describe the particle distribution in the

horizontal test pipe. A large M indicates a highly non-uniform distribution.

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2
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1 n  si -  s 0.5
M  [ i （ ）] , (4)
n 1
s
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1 n
s    si ,
n i 1
(5)

Where  s represents the average solid holdup of the three sections.

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Pressure drop ratio S is used to describe the difference between the pressure

drops of the liquid–solid two- and single-liquid- phase flows. S can be calculated as

follows:

Pls - Pl
S  100% , (6)
Pl

where Pls and Pl are the pressure drops of the liquid–solid two-phase and

single-liquid phase flows, respectively.

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The difference in pressure drop ratio S is used to describe the maximum

difference in the pressure drop ratios among particle types under certain conditions.

S can be calculated as follows:

S  Smax  Smin , (7)

where S max and Smin refer to the maximum and minimum pressure drop ratios of

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the liquid–solid two-phase flow, respectively.

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3. Results and discussion

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3.1 The particle distribution in the horizontal test pipe

3.1.1 Effect of the fluid velocity

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Fig. 3 displays the variation tendency of the solid holdup with the increase in fluid
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velocity. The solid holdup in each section increases with the increase in fluid velocity.

The solid holdup gradually increases from 1# section to 3# section, and the solid
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holdup in 3# section is significantly higher than in other sections.

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At low fluid velocity, only a few particles can be driven into circulation due to the
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small drag force, thereby resulting in a low solid holdup in the horizontal test pipe.

The increase in fluid velocity increases the drag force, numerous particles are dragged
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to circulate in the system and the solid holdup increases. With a greater density than

water, the particles tend to concentrate at the bottom of the pipe. So the solid holdup

in 3# section is highest.

Fig. 4 depicts the effect of the fluid velocity on particle distribution. The

non-uniform degree of the particle distribution decreases apparently with the

increase in fluid velocity. This condition is due to the fact that the extent of
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turbulence of the fluid increases with the increase in fluid velocity, which is

beneficial to the movement and distribution of the particles in radial direction,

thereby resulting in a much uniform particle distribution.

The phenomena can be visualized in Figs. 5 (a)–(e). Figs. 5 (a)–(e) present the

typical CCD images of particle distribution of POM2 in the horizontal test pipe with

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various fluid velocities. A high fluid velocity indicates high particle distribution

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uniformity.

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Fig. 6 presents the effect of the fluid velocity and amount of added particles on

non-uniform degree and solid holdup for POM2 in the horizontal test pipe with the
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inner diameter of 39 mm. The variation ranges of the fluid velocity and amount of
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added particles can be determined when the non-uniform degree is relatively less and

the solid holdup is relatively more, which is beneficial to heat transfer enhancement
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and fouling prevention in the horizontal circulating fluidized bed heat exchanger.
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3.1.2 Effect of the amount of added particles

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Fig. 7 displays the variation tendency of the solid holdup in the horizontal test pipe

with the increase in the amount of added particles. The solid holdup in each section
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increases with the increase in the amount of added particles. And the particles mainly

concentrate under the axial centerline of the pipe due to the effect of the gravity,

thereby resulting in a high solid holdup in 3#section.

Fig. 8 depicts the variation tendency of non-uniformity of the particle distribution

with the increase in the amount of added particles. Compared with the effect of the

fluid velocity, the amount of added particles has a little influence on the
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non-uniformity of the particle distribution, especially under the condition of high fluid

velocity. And the variation laws of the non-uniformity with the amount of added

particles depend on the particle types.

Figs. 9 (a)–(c) and Figs. 10 (a)–(c) present the typical CCD images of particle

distribution of POM3 in the horizontal test pipe with various amounts of added

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particles at the fluid velocities of 0.8 m/s and 2.0 m/s, respectively.

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Fig. 11 shows the effect of the amount of added particles and particle types on

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non-uniform degree and solid holdup in the horizontal test pipe with the inner

diameter of 44 mm. In Fig. 11, the variation ranges of the amount of added particles
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and particle types can be observed for relatively more uniform particle distribution.
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3.1.3 Effect of the particle types

Fig. 12 illustrates the effect of the particle types on solid holdup. The solid holdup
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in each section rapidly decreases initially with the increase in the sediment velocity of
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particle, but the variation trend becomes smooth as the sediment velocity further
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increases.

It is more difficult for the particles to be fluidized with the increase in the sediment
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velocity of particle, and more particles will be accumulated in the riser and the bottom

horizontal pipe. Thus fewer particles can be dragged into the horizontal test pipe,

leading to an obvious decrease in the solid holdup.

The effect of the particle types on non-uniform degree is shown in Fig. 13. The

non-uniform degree has a tendency to increase with the increase in the sediment

velocity of particle, especially at high fluid velocity. The greater the sediment velocity
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of particle, the smaller the difference in non-uniform degree at different fluid

velocities.

At low fluid velocity, because of the small extent of turbulence of the fluid, the

particles are difficult to fluidization, thus the sediment velocity of particle has a slight

effect on particle distribution. As the fluid velocity increases, the extent of turbulence

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of the fluid increases, which is beneficial to movement and distribution of the particle

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in the radial direction. Thus the particles with small sediment velocity is better

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fluidized and distributed, increasing the difference in the non-uniform degree among

particles with different sediment velocities.

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The phenomena can be found in Figs. 14 (a)–(d). Figs. 14 (a)–(d) present the
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typical CCD images of particle distribution in the horizontal test pipe with various

particle types. Only a few POM3 and GB particles are dragged into circulation and
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most of them accumulate in 3# section, but few particles in other sections. However,
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more POM1 particles are forced to move and disperse in the whole space of the
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horizontal test pipe, leading to a uniform particle distribution in cross section. Thus

particles with great sediment velocity cause large non-uniformity in the horizontal
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pipe which is unfavorable for descaling.

Fig. 15 presents the effect of the particle types and fluid velocity on non-uniform

degree and solid holdup in the horizontal test pipe with the inner diameter of 39 mm.

The variation ranges of operating parameters for better particle distribution in the

horizontal circulating fluidized bed can be observed in Fig. 15. Generally, the high

fluid velocity and small sediment velocity of particle can lead to a uniform particle
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distribution and high solid holdup.

3.1.4 Effect of the pipe inner diameter

The effect of the pipe inner diameter on solid holdup in each section of the

horizontal test pipe is depicted in Fig. 16. The solid holdup increases in each section

with the increase in pipe inner diameter. Under given velocities, the circulation flow

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rate increases given the increase in the inner diameter of the horizontal test pipe,

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which is beneficial to the fluidization of particles. More particles can be dragged into

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the horizontal test pipe per unit time, increasing the solid holdup.

Fig. 17 illustrates the variation tendency of non-uniformity of particle distribution

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with the increase in pipe inner diameter. The non-uniform degree increases initially
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and then decreases with the increase in pipe inner diameter.

At small pipe inner diameter, the amount of the circulating particles increases with
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the increase in pipe inner diameter. But the Reynolds number and extent of turbulence
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of the fluid are still small, thus the particles move into the pipe and concentrate under
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the center line of the pipe, resulting an increase in the non-uniform degree.

As the pipe inner diameter increases, the Reynolds number and extent of turbulence
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increase, which is conducive to the movement and distribution of the particles in

radial direction. Meanwhile, the increase in circulating particles eliminates the

randomness of the particle distribution in the horizontal test pipe. A better particle

distribution is obtained and the non-uniform degree decreases. So an appropriate pipe

inner diameter is needed to be taken account of for the effective fouling preventing

and descaling.
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The phenomena can be observed in Figs. 18 (a)–(e). Figs. 18 (a)–(e) present the

typical CCD images of particle distribution in the horizontal test pipe with various

pipe inner diameters.

Fig. 19 presents the effect of the pipe inner diameter and fluid velocity on

non-uniform degree and solid holdup in the horizontal test pipe for POM2. The

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variation ranges of operating parameters for better particle distribution can be found

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in Fig. 19. Generally, the great pipe inner diameter and high fluid velocity can bring

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about a uniform particle distribution and a high solid holdup.

3.2 The pressure drop in the horizontal test pipe

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3.2.1 Effect of the fluid velocity
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Fig. 20 demonstrates the effect of the fluid velocity on pressure drop ratio with four

particle types. The quantity, S=0(%), corresponds to the single-liquid phase flow. The
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pressure drop ratio is not always positive, and the absolute value of the pressure drop
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ratio generally decreases with the increase in fluid velocity.

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As shown in Fig. 20, when the fluid velocity is low, the particles are difficultly

fluidized, and the circulating particles move at the bottom of the horizontal test pipe,
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thereby causing a significant frictional pressure drop between the wall and the

particles. Meanwhile, the pressure drop of single-liquid phase is small, thus the

pressure drop ratio is high. As the fluid velocity further increases, the pressure drop of

single-liquid phase rapidly increases, thereby causing an obvious decrease in the

pressure drop ratio.

On the one hand, the addition of particles may increase the frictional pressure drop
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between the wall and the particles. Meanwhile, the collision among the particles and

between the particles and the wall also increases energy loss. On the other hand, the

addition of particles may inhibit the turbulence of the fluid and leads to a decrease in

the pressure drop, especially under the condition of uniform particle distribution [22].

So the pressure drop ratio may be negative under the combined effect of the

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abovementioned factors.

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The pressure drop ratio at the end of the investigated range in fluid velocity

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fluctuates from −35% to 27%, −36% to 24% and −39% to 42% when the amounts of

added particles are 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5%, respectively.

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Fig. 21 depicts the effect of the fluid velocity on the difference in pressure drop
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ratio with the increase in fluid velocity. The difference in pressure drop ratio decreases

rapidly initially and then decreases slowly with the increase in fluid velocity. The
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extent of turbulence increases with the increase in fluid velocity. And the proportion
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of the pressure drop of the single-liquid phase in total pressure drop apparently
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increases, thereby weakening the effect of particle types.

Fig. 22 presents the effect of the fluid velocity and amount of added particles on
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pressure drop and pressure drop ratio for POM2 in a horizontal test pipe with the

inner diameter of 39 mm. A high fluid velocity causes a significant pressure drop, and

the pressure drop slightly changes with the variation ranges of added particles.

3.2.2 Effect of the amount of added particles

Fig. 23 (a)–(b) demonstrates the effect of the amount of added particles on pressure

drop ratio for four particle types. The pressure drop ratio fluctuates slightly with the
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increase in the amount of added particles.

The increase in the amount of added particles may increase the solid holdup in the

horizontal test pipe. For one thing, the increase in solid holdup results in an increase

in frictional pressure drop between the wall and the particles, and also causes more

energy loss due to the increasing collision frequency between the wall and the

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particles and among the particles. For another thing, the increase in the solid holdup

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inhibits the turbulence, reducing the pressure drop. So the pressure drop ratio slightly

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fluctuates under the combined effect of the abovementioned factors.

The pressure drop ratio at the end of the investigated range in amount of added
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particles fluctuates from −39% to 24%, −20% to 42%, −11% to 8% and −9% to 8%
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when the fluid velocities are 0.8 m/s, 1.2 m/s, 1.6 m/s and 2.0 m/s, respectively.

Fig. 24 illustrates the variation of the difference in pressure drop ratio with the
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increase in the amount of added particles. Compared with the fluid velocity, the effect
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of the amount of added particles on the difference in pressure drop ratio is small . The
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difference in pressure drop ratio fluctuates slightly with the increase in the amount of

added particles, and the amplitude and laws of fluctuation depend on pipe inner
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diameter. In Fig. 24, the difference in the pressure drop ratio fluctuates from 3% to

16%.

Fig. 25 presents the effect of the amount of added particles and particle types on

pressure drop and pressure drop ratio in a horizontal pipe with the inner diameter of

32 mm. The variation ranges of pressure drop and pressure drop ratio are related to

the amount of added particles and particle types. The two factors simultaneously
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cause a variation in pressure drop and pressure drop ratio.

3.2.3 Effect of the particle types

Fig. 26 illustrates the effect of the particle types on pressure drop ratio. The

pressure drop ratio fluctuates with the increase in the sediment velocity of particle.

Under given circulating velocity, the particles with small sediment velocity can be

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dragged into circulation more easily and fluidized better, increasing the collision

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frequency among the particles and between the wall and the particles. Meanwhile, the

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extent of turbulence is also inhibited better. As the sediment velocity increases, the

particles are difficult to fluidization and the solid holdup decreases in the horizontal
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test pipe. But at the same time, the inhibition of the particles on the extent of
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turbulence is also reduced. So the pressure drop ratio fluctuates under the combined

effect of the abovementioned factors.

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Fig. 27 presents the effect of the particle types and fluid velocity on pressure drop
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and pressure drop ratio in the horizontal test pipe with the inner diameter of 39 mm.
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In Fig. 27, a high fluid velocity leads to a great pressure drop and the pressure drop

changes a little for different particle types.

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3.2.4 Effect of the pipe inner diameter

Fig. 28 illustrates the effect of the pipe inner diameter on pressure drop ratio. The

pressure drop ratio fluctuates with the increase in the pipe inner diameter.

On the one hand, the solid holdup increases given the increase in pipe diameter,

resulting in an increase in frictional pressure drop and collision energy loss. On the

other hand, under given velocities, the increase in the pipe inner diameter enhances
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the turbulence of the fluid, which is beneficial to the uniform particle distribution,

leading to a decrease in the pressure drop. So the pressure drop ratio fluctuates under

the combined effect of the abovementioned factors.

Fig. 29 illustrates the variation of the difference in pressure drop ratio with the

increase in the pipe inner diameter. The difference in pressure drop ratio generally

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decreases with the increase in pipe inner diameter. The increasing Reynolds number

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and extent of turbulence is favorable to the particle distribution, which reduces the

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difference in the pressure drop ratio. However, at small pipe inner diameter, the

difference in pressure drop ratio increases slightly due to the smaller Reynolds
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number and extent of turbulence of the fluid.
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Fig. 30 presents the effect of the pipe inner diameter and fluid velocity on pressure

drop and pressure drop ratio in the horizontal test pipe. In Fig. 30, a large pipe inner
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diameter brings a great pressure drop and pressure drop ratio at high fluid velocity.
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4. Conclusions
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An experimental study on the particle distribution and pressure drop in a horizontal

liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed is conducted. The major conclusions can be

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summarized as follows:

The solid holdup in the horizontal test pipe increases with the increase in fluid

velocity, amount of added particles and pipe inner diameter, but decreases with the

increase in the sediment velocity of particle. Moreover, the solid holdup is higher in

3# section than in other sections.

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The non-uniform degree has a significant decrease with the increase in fluid

velocity, but fluctuates with the increase in the amount of added particles. The

non-uniform degree increases initially and then decreases with the increase in pipe

inner diameter. The particles with small sediment velocity are better fluidized and

well distributed in the horizontal test pipe.

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The pressure drop ratio is not always positive and generally decreases with the

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increase in fluid velocity, but fluctuates with the increase in the amount of added

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particles, the sediment velocity of particle and pipe inner diameter. The amplitude and

laws of fluctuation depend on particle types.

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The difference in pressure drop ratio decreases obviously with the increase in the
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fluid velocity, but fluctuates slightly with the increase in the amount of added particles.

The difference in pressure drop ratio generally decreases with the increase in pipe
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inner diameter.
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Phase diagrams are established to display the variation ranges of the operating
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parameters for particle distribution and pressure drop. These phase diagrams can be

used to select relative conditions for uniform particle distribution in the horizontal
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AC

circulating fluidized bed.

NOMENCLATURE

di pipe inner diameter, mm

l measured length of the tube, m

M non-uniformity degree of the particle distribution, dimensionless

nsi number of particle in i # section, 1

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P pressure drop in the horizontal fluidized bed, kPa

Pl pressure drop of the single-liquid phase flow, kPa

Pls pressure drop of the liquid–solid two-phase flow, kPa

Q circulation flow rate, m3/h

S pressure drop ratio, %

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Smax maximum pressure drop ratio in the liquid–solid two-phase flow, %

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Smin minimum pressure drop ratio of the liquid–solid two-phase flow, %

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S difference in pressure drop ratio, %

u fluid velocity, m/s

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v volume of each particle, m3
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Vi volume of the measured part of the i # section, m3

V1 volume of the measured part in 1# section, m3

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V2 volume of the measured part in 2# section, m3

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V3 volume of the measured part in 3# section, m3

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GREEK LETTER
C


AC

amount of added particles, dimensionless

s solid holdup, dimensionless

 si solid holdup in i # section, dimensionless

s averaged solid holdup, dimensionless

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors are grateful to the Municipal Science and Technology Commission of

Tianjin, China for financially supporting this work under the contract

no. 2009ZCKFGX01900.

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[3] J. Meijer, Prevention of calcium sulfate scale deposition by a fluidized bed,
MA

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D

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D

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Fig. 1 Schematic diagram of the horizontal liquidsolid circulating fluidized bed

system. 1-computer; 2-CCD; 3-centrifugal pump; 4-electromagnetic

flowmeter; 5, 8-reducer unions; 6-differential pressure transducer; 7-horizontal

test pipe; 9-liquid–solid separator; 10-particle collector; 11-loading hopper;

12-horizonal single pipe; 13~20-ball valves.

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Fig. 2 Sketch of subarea for the horizontal test pipe.

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Fig. 3 Effect of the fluid velocity on solid holdup in each section of the horizontal test

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pipe.

Fig. 4 Effect of the fluid velocity on particle distribution in the horizontal test pipe.
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Figs. 5 (a)–(d) Typical CCD images of particle distribution in the horizontal test pipe
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with various fluid velocities (POM2, ε=1.0 %, di=39 mm) (a) u=0.4

m/s, (b) u=0.8 m/s, (c) u=1.2 m/s, (d) u=1.6 m/s, (e) u=2.0 m/s.
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Fig. 6 Three-dimensional phase diagrams of the effect of the fluid velocity and
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amount of added particles on non-uniform degree and solid holdup.

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Fig. 7 Effect of the amount of added particles on solid holdup in each section of the

horizontal test pipe.

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Figs. 8 (a)–(b) Effect of the amount of added particles on particle distribution in the

horizontal test pipe.

Figs. 9 (a)–(c) Typical CCD images of particle distribution in the horizontal test pipe

with various amounts of added particles (POM3, u=0.8 m/s, di=44 mm)

(a) ε=0.5 %, (b) ε=1.0 %, (c) ε=1.5 %.

Figs. 10 (a)–(c) Typical CCD images of particle distribution in the horizontal test pipe
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with various amounts of added particles (POM3, u=2.0 m/s, di=44

mm) (a) ε=0.5 %, (b) ε=1.0 %, (c) ε=1.5 %.

Fig. 11 Three-dimensional phase diagrams of the effect of the amount of added

particles and particle types on non-uniform degree and solid holdup.

Fig. 12 Effect of the particle types on solid holdup in each section of the horizontal

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test pipe

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Fig. 13 Effect of the particle types on particle distribution in the horizontal test pipe.

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Figs. 14 (a)–(d) Typical CCD images of particle distribution in the horizontal test pipe

with various particle types (ε=1.0 %, di=39 mm, u=1.2 m/s) (a)
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POM1, (b) POM2, (c) POM3, (d) GB.
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Fig. 15 Three-dimensional phase diagrams of the particle types and fluid velocity on

non-uniform degree and solid holdup.

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Fig. 16 Effect of the pipe inner diameter on solid holdup in each section of the
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horizontal test pipe.

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Fig. 17 Effect of the pipe inner diameter on particle distribution in the horizontal test

pipe.
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Figs. 18 (a)–(e) Typical CCD images of particle distribution in the horizontal test

pipes with different pipe inner diameters (POM2, ε=1.5 %, u=1.6 m/s)

(a) di=20 mm, (b) di=26 mm, (c) di=32 mm, (d) di=39 mm, (e) di=44

mm.

Fig. 19 Three-dimensional phase diagrams of the pipe inner diameter and fluid

velocity on non-uniform degree and solid holdup

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Fig. 20 Effect of the fluid velocity on pressure drop ratio.

Fig. 21 Effect of the fluid velocity on the difference in pressure drop ratio.

Fig. 22 Three-dimensional phase diagram of the effect of the fluid velocity and

amount of added particles on pressure drop and pressure drop ratio.

Figs. 23 (a)–(b) Effect of the amount of added particles on pressure drop ratio.

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Fig. 24 Effect of the amount of added particles on the difference in pressure drop

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ratio.

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Fig. 25 Three-dimensional phase diagram of the effect of the amount of added

particles and particle types on pressure drop and pressure drop ratio.
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Fig. 26 Effect of the particle types on pressure drop ratio.
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Fig. 27 Three-dimensional phase diagram of the effect of the particle types and fluid

velocity on pressure drop and pressure drop ratio.

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Fig. 28 Effect of the pipe inner diameter on pressure drop ratio.

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Fig. 29 Effect of the pipe inner diameter on the difference in pressure drop ratio.
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Fig. 30 Three-dimensional phase diagram of the effect of the pipe inner diameter and

fluid velocity on pressure drop and pressure drop ratio.

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Graphical abstract

Highlights

 •The particle distribution in the horizontal test pipe is non-uniform.

 • A high circulation flow rate enhances the uniformity of the particle

distribution.

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 •Particles with great sediment velocity increase the non-uniform degree.

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 •The effects of the operating parameters on pressure drop are discussed.

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 •The phase diagrams of particle distribution and pressure drop are established.
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