Application of stereology for two-phase flow structure validation in fluidized bed reactors

Abstract

Paper describes a novel method for two-phase gas-solid flow structure validation in fluidized bed reactors. Investigation is based on application of stereology techniques. This is an innovative approach in the field of fluidization phenomena research. Study is focused on the analysis of flow structure images, obtained with high-speed visualization of the fluidization process. Fluidization is conducted in transparent narrow channel, where plastic balls are fluidized by air. Applied stereological analysis is grounded on the linear method and on the method of random and directed secants. This enables 2-dimensional image measurement and 3-dimensional stereological extrapolation. The major result is that for each two-phase gas-solid flow structure a set of stereological parameters exists. This enables quantification of the process. It has been found that the observation of inter-relation of all stereological parameters, during the changing of the flow structure, can be used for system control. The basic conclusion is that knowledge about the character of the changes may be used for constant process adjustment for various two phase systems such as gas-solid or gas-liquid.