University of British Columbia

The University of Western Ontario

Membrane Reactor Technologies Ltd.

John R Grace

Jingxu Zhu

Choon Jim Lim

Alaa-Eldin M Adris

David Anthony Boyd

Clive M H Brereton

Warren MacKay Wolfs

Martha Salcudean

Christine Hrenya

Donglai Xie

Amir Hossein Ahmadi-Motlagh

Shi-Yun Jiao

Nazaneen Pourkavoos

Said S Elnashaie

A computer implemented method simulates the behavior of a gas-solid mixture in a fluidized bed having a particulate comprising Geldart group A particles using a Eulerian model comprising, for each time step (a current time step) and for each cell: obtaining an initial value of an agglomerate diameter corresponding to the cell and corresponding to the beginning of the current time step; performing a force-balance procedure for the cell to determine a first agglomerate diameter corresponding to the cell and corresponding to the current time step, wherein performing the force-balance procedure comprises determining a plurality of forces for the cell based at least in part on the initial value of the agglomerate diameter; updating one or more drag relationships for the current time step based at least in part on the first agglomerate diameter; and performing a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) solve procedure to determine, for the current time, the any one or more of: one or more of: a gas velocity {right arrow over (V)}for the cell, a particle velocity {right arrow over (V)}for the cell, a gas pressure for the cell, a particulate pressure for the cell and a solid fraction &#x3b5;for the cell. Performing the CFD solve procedure is based at least in part on the updated drag relationships.

Methods and systems for simulating hydrodynamics in gas-solid fluidized beds

This invention relates to a novel fluidized bed membrane reactor for autothermal operations. More particularly, this invention pertains to a unique fluidized bed membrane reactor which includes internal catalyst solids circulation for conveying heat between a reforming zone and an oxidation zone. A method of producing hydrogen gas from a hydrocarbon gas and steam comprising forming a fluidized bed of a suitable particulate catalyst in a reactor, wherein the catalyst is disposed in the reactor in two reaction modes, the first being an endothermic dehydrogenation reaction mode and the second being an exothermic oxidation or partial oxidation reaction mode, introducing a mixture of steam and hydrocarbon gas into the bottom of the fluidized bed to fluidize the particulate catalyst and form the fluidized bed, reacting the steam and hydrocarbon gas within the first endothermic dehydrogenation reaction mode to produce hydrogen gas, separating said hydrogen gas from other gases in the first endothermic dehydrogenation reaction mode as molecular or atomic hydrogen through a perm-selective membrane that permits the transfer of hydrogen therethrough while preventing or minimizing the transmission therethrough of the other gases in the endothermic dehydrogenation reaction mode, introducing oxidant in the second exothermic oxidation or partial oxidation reaction mode, and mixing same with other gases in the second exothermic oxidation and partial oxidation mode, and directing resultant oxidized gases to the first endothermic dehydrogenation reaction mode.

Internally circulating fluidized bed membrane reactor system

A method of assisting with fluidization of difficult-to-fluidize materials and to improve the quality of fluidization of particles in general. The use of either helium or hydrogen as a gaseous fluidization aid. The addition of hydrogen and/or helium to the fluidization agent or the substitution of part of the fluidizing gas by hydrogen or helium as a fluidization agent is disclosed. The advantageous and desirable effect is that the fluidization quality of the particles is significantly improved.

Gaseous fluidization aids

A dispensing apparatus for the dispensing of ultra-fine particles on a dry basis in a reproducible manner. The apparatus includes a first gas-solids suspension chamber having particle fluidization means adapted thereto, and a conduit adapted between the first gas-solids chamber and a second gas-solids chamber for communicating via at least one particle orifice particles between the chambers. A high velocity gas stream provides a pressure difference between the chambers whereby a low pressure zone is created within the conduit thereby drawing in particles from the first gas-solids suspension chamber into the second gas-solids suspension chamber via the conduit. The apparatus further includes a combination of a withdrawal feed and a solenoid valve to direct particles from the second gas-solids suspension chamber into a collection area.

Precision dispensing of ultra-fines via a gas medium

Hydrogen gas is generated in a fluidized bed reactor by reacting gases namely steam and a hydrocarbon gas such as methane or natural gas in a fluidized bed of particulate catalytic material. The catalytic material is fluidized by injecting the mixture of the reacting gases at the bottom of the bed. Hydrogen generated within the bed is removed via a selectively permeable membrane that extends through the bed and through a freeboard area above the bed. The reaction is endothermic and therefore heat to maintain the bed at the desired temperature is added as required. Preferably a separator separates particulate catalytic material entrained in the gases in the freeboard area and delivers the particulate material separated from the gas back into the bed.

Fluidized bed reaction system for steam/hydrocarbon gas reforming to

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Vancouver, Canada

John R Grace