Diameter-Transformed Fluidized Bed, 1st ed. 2020 Fundamentals and Practice Particle Technology Series, Vol. 27

This book puts forward the concept of the Diameter-Transformed Fluidized Bed (DTFB): a fluidized bed characterized by the coexistence of multiple flow regimes and reaction zones, achieved by transforming the bed into several sections of different diameters. It reviews fundamental aspects, including computational fluid dynamics simulations and industrial practices in connection with DTFB. In particular, it highlights an example concerning the development of maximizing iso-paraffins (MIP) reactors for regulating complex, fluid catalytic cracking reactions in petroleum refineries. The book is a must-have for understanding how academic and industrial researchers are now collaborating in order to develop novel catalytic processes.

1. Introduction.- 2. Fundamentals of Reactor Design and Scale-Up.- 3. Cold Model Experiment and Reactor Modeling.- 4  Multiscale CFD Simulation for DTFB Scale-up.- 5. Engineering Aspects and Application of DTFB.- 6. Series of MIP Process.- 7.  Effective Processing Technology of Heavy Oil.- 8. Applications in Chemical Industry and Other Fields.

Youhao Xu received his BSc in 1985 and MSc in 1988 from East China University of Science and Technology. Thereafter, he received a PhD in 2006 from the Research Institute of Petroleum Processing (RIPP) of Sinopec. Currently, he is a Chief Scientist at Sinopec in the field of petroleum refining. He has over 30 years’ experience in research and development in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes and invented the diameter-transformed fluidised bed reactor. He has enabled effective regulation of complex gas-solid catalytic reactions by establishing the fluidised bed reactor platform and by recognising the coexistence of multiple temperature zones and multiple flow regimes in a single reactor. Based on this platform, several technologies have been developed such as high heavy hydrocarbon utilisation, clean gasoline production and light olefin production. He proposed the concept of two reaction zones for cracking and conversion reactions (i.e., isomerisation and hydrogen transfer), and thus invented the MIP (maximising iso-paraffins) process. He correlated coke yield and conversion, and thereafter developed a catalytic cracking-hydrogenation integrated process for the highly effective conversion of heavy hydrocarbons. The above processes have been applied in 115 commercial units with an annual capacity totalling 154 million tons, accounting for 81% of all FCC units in China and providing 57% of gasoline for Chinese vehicles. Currently, 84% of FCC units in Sinopec facilities utilise the diameter-transformed fluidised bed reactor.

Contains plentiful data from cold experiments through to industrial operation

Covers fundamental research as well as process development and practice in petrochemical industry

Essential reading for researchers and practitioners in catalyst, reactor engineering and related fields