Effect of various inserts on flow behavior of Fe2O3 beads in a three-dimensional silo subjected to cyclic discharge- Part I: Exploration of transport properties

• Published in: Powder technology 2022-03, Vol.400, p.117220, Article 117220
• Main Authors: Chung, Y.C., Kuo, T.C., Hsiau, S.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D granular silo flow; Beads; DEM; Discharge; Fe2O3 beads; Ferric oxide; Insert effect; Inserts; Reactors; Slice method with null friction boundaries; Transport properties; Transport property; Velocity distribution
• ISSN: 0032-5910; 1873-328X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2022.117220

Optimizations of uniform velocities and residence times of oxygen carriers in chemical looping reactors are key factors. This study firstly applies inserts to improve the flow performance of Fe2O3 beads in an actual 3D reactor. This study proposes a novel DEM approach with null friction boundaries to investigate transport properties of Fe2O3 beads in a reactor with inserts subjected to cyclic discharge. Six inserts were analyzed, e.g., conical insert, disk insert, BINSERT, hollow cylinder insert, and hollow silo insert, as well as no inserts for comparison, respectively. Results revealed that the flow of Fe2O3 beads in the 3D silos with the conical insert, disk insert, and BINSERT exhibited superior uniform velocity profiles. Furthermore, the corresponding granular temperatures and residence times were evener. The installation of these three inserts is more conducive to the uniform discharge of the Fe2O3 beads within a looping reactor. [Display omitted] •Study transport properties of Fe2O3 beads in 3D silos with various inserts by DEM.•Study the effect of inserts on the transport properties of Fe2O3 beads in 3D silos.•The transport properties depend on insert geometry and installation position.•The BINSERT, conical and disk inserts show superior uniform velocity profiles.•The hollow cylinder and hollow silo inserts exhibit uneven velocity profiles.