CFD study: Effect of pulsating flow on gas–solid hydrodynamics in FCC riser

Abstract

Gas-solid flow in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) riser exhibits a heterogeneous “core-annulus” radial profile of solids holdup, which causes poor mixing and significantly reduces performance. To overcome this shortcoming, pulsating (regular variations in) gas flow can be useful in a riser. In this study, the impact of pulsating gas flow on gas-solid hydrodynamics and performance of FCC riser is investigated using a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) approach. Simulations of gas-solid cold-flow and reactive flow in FCC riser are performed without and with pulsating gas flow of various amplitudes and frequencies. Predictions from pulsating gas flow show improved homogeneity in radial profiles of phase holdup, concentrations and temperature, indicating potential for enhanced conversion and yield in industrial FCC units.

@article{shah2017cfd,
  title         = {CFD study: Effect of pulsating flow on gas--solid hydrodynamics in FCC riser},
  author        = {Shah, Milinkumr T and Utikar, Ranjeet P and Pareek, Vishnu K},
  year          = 2017,
  journal       = {Particuology},
  publisher     = {Elsevier},
  volume        = 31,
  pages         = {25--34},
  doi           = {10.1016/j.partic.2016.07.002}
}