P a r r I n s t r u m e n t C o m p a n y
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Fluidized Bed Reactors
Fluidized bed reactors are
used extensively in the
chemical process indus-
tries.The distinguishing
feature of a fluidized bed
reactor is that the solids
bed of catalytic particles is
supported by an upward
flow of gas.This reactor
provides easy loading and
removing of catalyst.This
is advantageous when the
solids bed must be re-
moved and replaced fre-
quently. A high conversion
with a large throughput is
possible with this style of
reactor. Such reactors in-
herently possess excellent
heat transfer and mixing
characteristics.
Fluidized beds have been
significantly utilized in
chemical processes, in
which parameters such as
diffusion or heat transfer
are the major design pa-
rameters. Compared to a
packed bed, a fluidized bed
has notable advantages such as better control of
temperature, no hot spot in the bed, uniform cata-
lyst distribution and longer life of the catalyst.The
desirability of using fluidized beds is dependent
on achieving good mixing between the solids and
the suspending fluid.
Nearly all the significant commercial applications
of fluidized bed technology concern gas-solid
systems. Applications of fluidized bed reactors
include, but are not limited to, Fisher-Tropsch syn-
thesis, catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons and re-
lated high molecular weight petroleum fractions.
Gasification in a fluidized bed can be utilized to
convert coal, biomass and other waste materials
into synthesis gas.
The reactor system pictured in the photos above
and to the right includes the following key com-
ponents:
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