Influence of Fluidization Velocity on Bed Defluidization in Fluidized Bed Combustors

Effects of superficial gas velocity and bed particle size on bed defluidization during biomass combustion were investigated. Sampled bed particles from four different large-scale circulating- and bubbling fluidized bed combustors, using biomass as fuel, were collected and analyzed. The bed particles from each fluidized bed unit were divided into small and large particle size fractions. The results indicate no significant difference in elemental compositions between small and large coated bed particles but the ratio of coating thickness to the mean particle diameter was higher for the small particles compared to the large ones. Controlled fluidized bed agglomeration tests revealed strong influence from fluidization velocity on initial defluidization temperatures at lower velocities, but little effect at higher velocities. Influence of bed particle size on initial defluidization temperature varied depending on operating conditions. Finally, a model based on viscous flow sintering is proposed for the relation between agglomeration temperature and superficial gas velocity. The model predictions are in good agreement with experimental data.