OPERATIONAL INFLUENCE OF THE MONO-CHAMBER AERATION MODE IN THE LOOP SEAL OF A CIRCULATING FLUIDIZED BED

This work assesses the effect promoted by the aeration mode used in a loop seal valve on the solids circulation rate and the static pressure profile of a bench-scale circulating fluidized bed (CFB) system. Runs were carried out by supplying the same aeration ratios into the two chambers of the loop seal, but aerating just one of them at a time. Results showed that the choice of the chamber to be aerated can noticeably affect the gas-solid hydrodynamics. In this sense, the analysis of variance applied on the experimental data indicated that the aeration into the recycle chamber of the loop seal offers lower levels of solids circulation rate but also allows to control it within a wider range of aeration ratios and with less pressure drop or energy demand.