Axial and radial solids holdup modeling of circulating fluidized bed risers

Hydrodynamics plays a crucial role in defining the performance of gas-solid circulating fluidized beds (CFB). A two dimensional model was developed considering the hydrodynamic behavior of CFB gasifiers. In the modeling, the CFB riser was divided into two regions: a dense region at the bottom and a dilute region at the top of the riser. Radial distributions of bed voidage were taken into account in the upper zone by using Zhang et al. (1991)'s correlation. For model validation purposes, a cold model CFB was employed, in which sawdust was transported with air as fluidizing agent. The column was 10 m in height and 280 mm in diameter, and was equipped with pressure transducers to measure axial pressure profile and with a reflective optical fiber probe to measure local solids holdup. A satisfactory agreement between the model predictions and experimental data was found.