Gas flow visualisation in low aspect ratio packed beds by three-dimensional modelling and near-infrared tomography

Nonuniform local flow inside randomly porous media of gas-solid packed beds of low aspect ratios ranging from 1.5 to 5 was investigated by three-dimensional modelling and near-infrared tomography. These beds are known to demonstrate heterogeneous mixing and uneven distributions of mass and heat. The effects of the confining wall on flow dynamics were found nonlinear, particularly for aspect ratios lower than 3. High velocities were mainly observed in regions near the wall of aspect ratio value of 1.5 and those of values higher than 3, owing to high local porosities in these zones. Mass dispersion characterised by both experimental near-infrared imaging and by particle tracking showed discrepancies with literature models, particularly for aspect ratios lower than 3. Uncertainties were more significant with the radial dispersion due bed size limits. Beyond this value, the wall affected more the axial dispersion, confirming the nonlinear impact of the wall on global hydrodynamic

Performance of multiphase packed-bed reactors and scrubbers on offshore floating platforms: hydrodynamics, chemical reaction, CFD modeling and simulation

Les systèmes flottants de production, stockage et de déchargement (FPSO) ont été introduits dans les secteurs d'exploitation des hydrocarbures offshore en tant qu'outils facilement déplaçables pour l’exploitation de champs de pétrole et de gaz de petites ‘a moyenne tailles ou lorsque ceux-ci sont éloignés des côtes ou en eaux profondes. Ces systèmes sont de plus en plus envisagés pour les opérations de traitement et de raffinage des hydrocarbures à proximité des sites d'extraction des réservoirs sous-marins en utilisant des laveurs et des réacteurs à lit fixe embarqués. De nombreuses études dans la littérature pour découvrir l'hydrodynamique de l'écoulement polyphasiques dans des lits garnis ont révélé que la maîtrise de tels réacteurs continue d’être un défi quant à leur conception /mise à l'échelle ou à leur fonctionnement. De plus, lorsque de tels réacteurs sont soumis à des conditions fluctuantes propres au contexte marin, l'interaction des phases devient encore plus complexe, ce qui entraîne encore plus de défis dans leur conception. Les travaux de recherche proposés visent à fournir des informations cruciales sur les performances des réacteurs à lit fixes à deux phases dans le cadre d'applications industrielles flottantes. Pour atteindre cet objectif, un simulateur de mouvement de navire de type hexapode avec des mouvements à six degrés de liberté a été utilisé pour simuler les mouvements des FPSO tandis que des capteurs à maillage capacitif (WMS) et un tomographe à capacitance électrique (ECT) couplés avec le lit garni ont permis de suivre en ligne les caractéristiques dynamiques locales des écoulements diphasiques. L'effet des inclinaisons et des oscillations de la colonne sur le comportement hydrodynamique des lits garnis biphasiques a été étudié, puis les résultats ont été comparés à leurs analogues terrestres correspondants (colonne verticale immobile). De plus, des stratégies opérationnelles potentielles ont été proposées pour atténuer la maldistribution des fluides résultant des oscillations du lit ainsi que pour intensifier le processus de réactions dans les réacteurs à lit fixe. Parallèlement aux études expérimentales, un modèle Eulérien CFD transitoire 3D a été développé pour simuler le comportement hydrodynamique de lits garnis polyphasiques sous des inclinaisons et des oscillations de colonnes. Enfin, pour compléter le travail expérimental, une étude systématique a été réalisée pour étudier les performances de capture de CO2 à base d'amines d’un laveur à garnissage (en vrac et structuré) émulant une colonne à bord des ...Floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) systems have been introduced to offshore hydrocarbon exploitation sectors as readily movable tools for development of small or remote oil and gas fields in deeper water. These systems are increasingly contemplated for onboard treatment and refining operations of hydrocarbons extracted from undersea reservoirs near extraction sites using embarked packed-bed scrubbers and reactors. Numerous efforts in the literature to uncover the hydrodynamics of multiphase flow in packed beds have disclosed that such reactors continue to challenge us either in their design/scale-up or their operation. Furthermore, when such reactors are subjected to marine conditions, the interaction of phases becomes even more complex, resulting in further challenges for design and scale-up. The proposed research aims at providing important insights into the performance of two-phase flow packed-bed reactors in the context of floating industrial applications. To achieve this aim, a hexapod ship motion simulator with six-degree-of-freedom motions was employed to emulate FPSO movements while capacitance wire mesh sensors (WMS) and electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) coupled with the packed bed scrutinized on-line and locally the two-phase flow dynamic features. The effect of column tilts and oscillations on the hydrodynamic behavior of multiphase packed beds was investigated and then the results were compared with their corresponding onshore analogs. Moreover, potential operational strategies were proposed to diminish fluid maldistribution resulting from bed oscillations as well as for process intensification of heterogeneous catalytic reactions in packed-bed reactors. In parallel with the experiment studies, a 3D transient Eulerian CFD model was developed to simulate the hydrodynamic behavior of multiphase packed beds under column tilts and oscillations. Ultimately, a systematic experimental study was performed to address the amine-based CO2 capture performance of packed-bed scrubbers on board offshore floating vessels/platforms. Apart from gaining a comprehensive knowledge on the influence of translational and rotational movements on multiphase flows in porous media, oil and gas sectors and ship industry would benefit from the results of this work for design and scale-up of industrial reactors and scrubbers.Unité flottante de production, de stockage et de déchargemen

Single Phase Flow Modeling in Packed Beds: Discrete Cell Approach Revisited

A Discrete Cell Model (DCM), based on the Minimization of the Total Rate of Energy Dissipation, is Applied to Compute the Fluid Velocity Field in Two-Dimensional Packed Beds. the Analysis of the Individual Terms of the Energy Dissipation Rate Equation is Also Presented. the Results Obtained by DCM Are Validated Both by Comparing Them with the Solutions of Ensemble-Averaged Momentum and Mass Conservation Equations (CFDLIB Code) and by Available Experimental Results. the Differences between DCM and CFD Simulations Were Found to Be Confined to within a 10% Band over a Wide Range of Reynolds Numbers (Re\u27 = 5-171). Thus, a Reasonable Agreement between the Predictions of the Two Methods Can Be Claimed for Engineering Applications. an Acceptable Agreement of DCM/CFD Predictions and the Available Experimental Data in the Literature is Also Achieved. the Presented Case Studies Justify the Use of DCM for Predicting the Fluid Velocity Fields in Packed Beds with Complex Internal Structures and with Irregular Distributed Gas Feeding Points. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All Rights Reserved

Hydrodynamic behavior of packed-bed reactors on a floating platform : liquid distribution and drainage dynamics

Pour combler l'écart entre l'augmentation de la demande énergétique et l'épuisement de la production d'hydrocarbures onshore, l'exploitation des hydrocarbures offshore est de plus en plus envisagée, en particulier les gisements de gaz / pétrole dans les eaux plus profondes. En attendant, un grand nombre d'unités de traitement déployées pour la production d'hydrocarbures doivent respecter les contraintes environnementales conçues pour la protection maritime. Les systèmes tels que les réacteurs et les épurateurs à lit fixe embarqués deviennent inévitablement l'une des options les plus prometteuses pour atteindre ces deux objectifs. De nombreux efforts dans la littérature pour dévoiler l'hydrodynamique de l'écoulement multiphasé dans les lits garnis révèlent que des défis persistent soit dans leur conception / mise à l'échelle, soit dans leurs opérations. De plus, exposer ces réacteurs à des conditions marines difficiles telles que la convolution de la dynamique des navires et de l'hydrodynamique à l'intérieur des réacteurs à lit fixe conduit à des situations encore plus compliquées pour maintenir des performances de fonctionnement acceptables dans les conditions flottantes. Un grand nombre de preuves issues de la littérature a jusqu'à présent mis en évidence l'échec des colonnes garnies avec des garnissages aléatoires, des garnissages structurés ou des mousses à alvéoles ouvertes, pour empêcher la maldistribution des liquides dans les lits fixes destinés à fonctionner à bord de navires ou de platesformes flottantes. Les efforts de recherche doivent donc se poursuivre dans le but de trouver des composants internes robustes et capables de résilience contre la maldistribution des liquides dans les réacteurs / unités de séparation gaz-liquide. Ce projet de doctorat s’est proposé des recherches visant dans un premier temps de tester des internes disponibles commercialement pouvant préserver des performances similaires à celles des unités terrestres classiques. Au meilleur de notre connaissance, la sensibilité et la susceptibilité des réacteurs monolithes à une mauvaise distribution soumis à des conditions offshore n'ont pas encore été étudiées. Plutôt que de se concentrer uniquement sur une étude des lits monolithiques, le chapitre 1 opte pour une campagne expérimentale plus large comprenant un garnissage aléatoire et un garnissage en mousse à cellules ouvertes pour des comparaisons systématiques de la distribution des liquides en conditions flottantes. La distribution liquide des colonnes embarquées garnies de divers garnissages et pour une large plage de débit gaz / liquide est systématiquement comparée à l'aide d'un capteur à treillis métallique (WMS) et d'un émulateur hexapode à six degrés de liberté. La vraisemblance de conditions météorologiques extracôtières rudes pourrait menacer la sureté de l'exploitation des lits fixes, en particulier dans des situations extrêmes telles que des cyclones, des épisodes d'icebergs, etc. Pour assurer la sécurité du personnel et des installations, l’opération des colonnes garnies à bord doit être immédiatement interrompue pour éviter des problèmes de sécurité critiques sous de telles circonstances. Par conséquent, la base de connaissances sur la dynamique de drainage des liquides dans les lits flottants est iv essentielle pour assurer une vidange rapide du liquide. Néanmoins, l'étude de la dynamique du drainage liquide des lits fixes en conditions flottantes est à tout le moins rare. Par conséquent, le chapitre 2 se propose de comparer expérimentalement le drainage du liquide dans des colonnes garnies dans les conditions marines à celui observé dans une colonne statique verticale à l’instar des applications terrestres. En dehors de cela, l'influence des mouvements du navire (par exemple, cavalement, embardée, pilonnement, roulis, tangage, et lacet) à différentes amplitudes et périodes d'oscillation sur la dynamique de drainage des liquides est étudiée pour approfondir nos connaissances. Parallèlement à l'étude expérimentale, un modèle numérique Euler-Euler transitoire et en trois dimensions est utilisé en complément pour tenter de prédire la dynamique du drainage des liquides dans les lits flottants. D'autres facteurs susceptibles d'affecter la dynamique de drainage sont analysés par la simulation numérique. Ainsi, le chapitre 3 met en évidence l'influence globale des propriétés des liquides, de la structure du lit et des types de mouvement associé à la sollicitation marine. Par ailleurs, la campagne expérimentale en fournissant des données mesurables a permis de valider le modèle dans les conditions de roulis et de tangage testées au laboratoire.To fill the gap between increasing energy demand and depletion of onshore hydrocarbon production, offshore hydrocarbon exploitation is increasingly contemplated especially the gas/oil fields in the deeper water. Meantime, large amount of deployed processing units for hydrocarbon productions must comply with the environmental codes designated for maritime protection. Systems such as embarked packed-bed reactors and scrubbers inevitably become one of the most promising options to achieve both purposes. Numerous efforts in literature to unveil the hydrodynamics of multiphase flow in packed beds reveal that challenges persist either in their design/scale-up or during the operations. Moreover, exposing these reactors to harsh marine conditions such as the convolution of ship dynamics and hydrodynamics inside packed-bed reactors leads to even more complex situations to maintain the proper operation performance of packed-bed reactors under floating conditions. A lot of evidence from literature has pointed out the failure of random and structured packings and open-cell foams, to prevent liquid maldistribution in packed beds destined to operate on-board sailing ships and floating platforms. Research efforts must therefore continue in the quest for robust internals capable of resilience against liquid maldistribution in gas-liquid reactors/separation units. The proposed Ph.D. research aims at firstly following a sound path to adapt commercially existing internals being capable of preserving performance similar to landbased packed beds. To the best of literature exploring, the sensitivity and susceptibility of monolith reactors to maldistribution subjected to offshore conditions have yet to be investigated. Rather than focusing on a study of monolith beds alone, Chapter 1 opts for a broader experimental campaign including a random packing and an open-cell foam packing for the sake of systematic comparisons of the liquid distribution under floating conditions. Liquid distribution of embarked columns packed with various internals under wide gas/liquid flow range is systematically compared with the assistance of wire mesh sensor (WMS) and six-degree-of-freedom emulator hexapod. Severe offshore weather conditions threaten the operation safety of floating packed beds especially encountering extreme situations such as cyclone, iceberg episodes and so forth. To ensure the safety of staff and facilities, the onboard packed columns must be immediately shutdown to avoid critical safety concerns under such circumstances. Therefore, knowledgebase of liquid draining dynamics in floating packed beds is the essence to ensure timely discharge of liquid. Nevertheless, the study regarding liquid drainage dynamics of packed beds under floating conditions is scarce to say the least. Then, Chapter 2 compares liquid draining of packed columns embarking on floating platforms with static land-based one experimentally. Other than that, the influence of ship motions (e.g., roll, roll & pitch, heave etc.) with different oscillation amplitudes and periods on liquid draining dynamics is investigated to deepen the insights. vi In parallel with the experimental study, a 3D transient Euler-Euler CFD model is employed as a supplementary analysis to further deepen the understanding of liquid drainage dynamics in floating packed beds. More factors possibly affecting the draining dynamics are exploited by numerical simulation. Consequently, Chapter 3 highlights the comprehensive influence of liquid properties, bed structure and moving types instead of focusing on impact of movements alone. Meanwhile, with sufficient body of experimental campaign, the validity and accuracy of model are strongly endorsed

Hydrodynamics Of Trickle Bed Reactors: Measurements And Modeling

In this study we develop the computational and experimental tools to assist us in performance evaluation of trickle bed reactors: TBRs). The study focuses on experimental characterization of the flow distribution, and development of computational fluid dynamics: CFD) model of trickle flow. The experimental study has been performed to examine the quality of liquid phase distribution in a high pressure system. The results were provided in terms of distribution of the effluent liquid fluxes and cross-sectional liquid holdups. Their individual trends, but also their relation with respect to operating conditions was examined. Characterization of bed porosity distribution has been performed and used as the input to the computational model. The experimental study of the dependence of the extent of hysteresis on operating parameters in a high pressure TBR was performed. The extent of hysteresis was found uniquely determined by the pressure drop in the Levec prewetting mode. This fact and developed CFD model were then used to deduce conditions leading to operation with negligible hysteresis effects. Three-dimensional Eulerian CFD model is developed. Phase interaction closures are based on the film flow model, principles of statistical hydrodynamics and relative permeability concept. Model has been assessed against experimental data for liquid holdup, wetting efficiency and pressure drop hysteresis. Hydrodynamic Eulerian CFD model is then used together with species balance to examine the TBR performance for gas and liquid reactant limited systems. For each case a closed form approach of coupling bed and particle scale solution within CFD framework was presented

Hydrodynamics in a randomly packed bed of spheres:A comparison between PR-CFD simulations and MRI experiments

Multitubular reactors are commonly used in industry for processes involving highly exothermic chemical reactions. This reactor type consists of individual tubes, with a small diameter compared to the particle size. These slender beds facilitate heat management, but also give rise to flow maldistribution, which decreases the reactor efficiency. The aim of this article is to validate particle-resolved simulations using Magnetic Resonance Imaging experiments while focusing on the flow maldistribution. The packing structure used in the simulations is reconstructed from the experimental images to facilitate a one-to-one comparison. A good match between experiments and simulations is found for the averaged flow profile, probability density function of the velocity in axial direction and even the local velocity distributions. However, a correction of the experimental results for magnetic susceptibility artifacts is necessary to obtain a similar match in the probability density functions and the local profiles.</p

Efficient Simulation of Gas Flow in Blast Furnace

Simulation of gas flow in a multilayered non-isothermal packed bed is useful for blast furnace operators in deciding appropriate charging strategy. While using an anisotropic form of Ergun equation to simulate gas flow through such systems, a new solution methodology for non-isothermal gas with varying density flowing through a layered burden has been proposed. This involves handling non-linearity due to gas density variation with pressure and temperature by solving for the square of pressure instead of pressure directly and handling the non-linearity due to |v| term in the Ergun equation by solving linearized form of Ergun equation and updating |v| iteratively. The proposed scheme is capable of predicting the effect of layer structure on gas flow with economy in number of grid points as well as computation time

Investigation of packed bed and moving bed reactors with benchmarking using advanced measurement and computational techniques

Trickle bed reactors (TBR), as typical packed bed reactors (PBR), are widely used in various fields. Very limited information regarding the flow behaviors, hydrodynamic, and mathematical models in extrudate catalyst shapes, such as cylinders, trilobes, and quadrilobes, can be found in literatures because the major focus was on spherical shape. Therefore, a hybrid pressure drops and liquid holdup phenomenological model for extrudate catalyst shapes was developed based on two-phase volume averaged equations, which showed high accuracy against experimental data. The maldistribution and dynamic liquid holdup were investigated in quadrilobe catalyst using gamma-ray computed tomography. A pseudo-3D empirical model was developed and compared with deep neural network predictions. Both models were in good agreement with experimental data. The accretion locations of heavy metal contaminants entrained with flow were tracked by the dynamic radioactive particle tracking technique in the packed beds of sphere, cylinder, trilobe, and quadrilobe, respectively. Kernel density estimator was used to indicate the accretion probability distribution, showing that pressure drop played an important role in heavy metal accretions. CFD simulations of random packed trilobe catalyst bed were conducted to obtain the local information and were validated by experimental data. Moving bed reactors (MBR), as a relatively new type of reactor, encounter many challenges due to the bed expansion because of the concurrent gas-liquid upflow. DEM simulation was used to generate expanded bed. A porosity distribution correlation was developed and implemented in CFD simulations to investigate the hydrodynamics --Abstract, page iv