Effect of Particle Size on Carbon Nanotube Aggregates Behavior in Dilute Phase of a Fluidized Bed

Fluidized bed reactors have been increasingly applied for mass production of Carbon Nanotube (CNT) using catalytic chemical vapor deposition technology. Effect of particle size (d(p) = 131 m and 220 m) on fluidization characteristics and aggregation behavior of the CNT particles have been determined in a fluidized bed for its design and scale-up. The CNT aggregation properties such as size and shape were measured in the dilute phase of a fluidized bed (0.15 m-ID x 2.6 m high) by the laser sheet technique for the visualization. Two CNT particle beds showed different tendency in variations of the aggregates factors with gas velocity due to differences in factors contributing to the aggregate formation. The CNT particles with a larger mean size presented as relatively larger in the aggregate size than the smaller CNT particles at given gas velocities. The aggregates from the large CNT particles showed a sharp increase in the aspect ratio and rapid decrease in the roundness and the solidity with gas velocity. A possible mechanism of aggregates formation was proposed based on the variations of aggregates properties with gas velocity. The obtained Heywood diameters of aggregates have been firstly correlated with the experimental parameter.