Dual Circulating Fluidized Bed Reactor with Hydraulic Link

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas-solid reactor systems with a combination of circulating and stationary fluidized beds face limitations in scalability and efficiency due to large reactor cross-section requirements and poor gas-solid contact in stationary beds, leading to potential gas leakage and increased mechanical stress on particles.

Innovation Solution

A fluidized bed reactor system comprising at least two circulating fluidized beds connected via a particle line, allowing independent adjustment of solids transport and optimized gas-particle contact, eliminating the need for a stationary bed and reducing mechanical stress on particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stationary fluidized bed is used in the system, then robust and particle-friendly operation is achieved, but the reactor cross-section becomes very large and gas-solid contact is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverobust and particle-friendly operationVSAvoidreactor cross-section
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the fluidized bed into multiple compartments (first fluidized bed compartment and second fluidized bed compartment) that are hydraulically connected. This segmentation allows each compartment to function as a circulating fluidized bed with independent gas spaces, achieving robust operation without requiring a large stationary bed cross-section. The hydraulic connection between compartments enables particle circulation while maintaining compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional stationary bed configuration to a three-dimensional circulating fluidized bed system with hydraulic connections between compartments. This dimensional change allows particles to circulate vertically and horizontally through the system, achieving good gas-solid contact in a compact volume rather than requiring a large horizontal cross-section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a stationary fluidized bed is used to define solid whereabouts, then particle stress is reduced, but gas in the bubble phase is poorly brought into contact with the solid and gas may slip through

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stress on particlesVSAvoidgas-solid contact efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic circulating fluidized beds in both compartments instead of a static stationary bed. The hydraulic connection between compartments creates dynamic particle circulation patterns that enhance gas-solid contact while maintaining particle-friendly operation. The circulating nature of the beds allows continuous mixing and contact between gas and solid phases, preventing gas slip-through while reducing mechanical stress on particles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If two rapidly fluidized fluidized bed reactors are used, then gas-solid contact is optimized, but control of solid whereabouts requires complex control technology and solids must be discharged and separated twice

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas-solid contactVSAvoidcontrol technology and separation devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of two circulating fluidized bed reactors with a hydraulic connection between them, creating a unified system where solids circulate from the first compartment to the second and back. This combination achieves optimized gas-solid contact in both compartments while using a single hydraulic connection system to control solid whereabouts, reducing the need for multiple separate control technologies and separation devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic connection acts as an intermediary between the two fluidized bed compartments, enabling controlled solid circulation without requiring complex control technology. This intermediary system allows solids to move between compartments while maintaining independent gas spaces, simplifying the overall control architecture compared to using two completely independent circulating beds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If the system is scaled up for large plant capacities, then production capacity increases, but stationary fluidized beds require very large cross-sections that are impractical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplant capacityVSAvoidreactor cross-section
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables scaling to large plant capacities by utilizing vertical and hydraulic circulation dimensions rather than simply increasing horizontal cross-section. The circulating fluidized bed configuration with hydraulic connections allows particles to circulate through a compact volume, achieving large processing capacities without requiring impractically large reactor cross-sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enables robust, particle-friendly operation with high global solids circulation rates, improved gas-particle contact, and reduced risk of gas leakage, suitable for large-scale processes like chemical looping and thermochemical conversions.

Implementation Method 1

a fluidized bed or a fluidized bed in which particles are fluidized by a fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidisation: Fluidisation

Implementation Method 2

a centrifugal or gravity separator arrangement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 3

a centrifugal or gravity separator arrangement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity separation: Sedimentation

Implementation Method 4

Fluidized siphons or fluidized connecting channels or fluidized chutes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidized siphon: Syphon

Data Source

PatentEP2178630B1Fluidized bed reactor system
Publication Date: 2013.03.13 VIENNA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
  • EP2178630B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2178630B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2178630B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a fluidized bed reactor system made up of at least two fluidized bed reactors, comprising at least one main reactor (1) in the form of a circulating fluidized bed and a secondary reactor (2) in the form of a circulating fluidized bed, and also a particle line comprising a particle separator for transporting fluidized bed particles from the main reactor into the secondary reactor, characterized in that, in the lower region of the respective reactor, a line (10) connects the secondary reactor (2) to the main reactor (1) for transporting fluidized bed particles.