HYDRODYNAMICS AND HEAT-TRANSFER IN A PLASMA SPOUTED BED REACTOR

The literature reveals very little intformation about plasma spouted bed hydrodynamics. Spouting of corindon particles with diameters ranging from 0.4 to 3.36 mm with argon plasma was conducted in a 90-mm-diameter column in the temperature range 300-1300°C. It was found that the maximum spoutable height (Hm) decreases with increasing particle diameter and decreasing mean bed temperature. A relation between the inlet plasma velocity and Hm is proposed. Concerning heat transport phenomena in the annulus, measurements and calculations indicate a large axial diffusivity but a poor radial mixing. Typical values of Dz and Dr are proposed on the basis of an identification procedure. © 1990 Plenum Publishing Corporation.