Hydrodynamics of fluidization of FCC particles and nanoparticles

Abstract

This dissertation describes computational fluid dynamics simulations of the flow of FCC particles in the turbulent fluidization regime, explosive dissemination of 10 nm silica particles and the flow of 10 nm silica particles in a 2-dimensional fluidized bed. In an experimental study flow properties of 10 nm silica particles were determined in a two-story circulation fluidized bed riser. Fluidization of three kinds of silica nanoparticles were also investigated in a 2-dimensional fluidized bed. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a new tool for acquiring the understanding of the hydrodynamics of multiphase flow. However, before this a tool becomes useful for the design purpose, a number of theoretical questions must be answered. This thesis is an attempt to answer some of the unresolved issues.