A two-phase model for variable-density fluidized bed reactors with generalized nonlinear kinetics

A model based on the classical two-phase concept is developed for the simul ation of variable-density reaction with generalized nonlinear kinetics in a bubbling fluidized bed. The influence of reaction density parameter on the fluidodynamics and performance of the reactor for four general types of re actions was explored. The results show that the expansion factor has a sign ificant effect on both fluidodynamic characteristics and reaction conversio n. In all types of reactions, higher values of hydrodynamic variables were obtained when epsilon greater than or equal to 0. Reaction conversion, howe ver, dropped as the expansion factor increased. This trend was more pronoun ced for reaction orders higher than unity. This suggests that bubbling flui dized operations are probably not optimal and applicable for certain types of reactions. Comparative analysis between reaction type and implications f or optimum fluidized bed reactor are discussed.