Analysis of fluid-dynamic regimes from pressure fluctuations in a spouted bed using wavelet transform

• Grant number: 19/21040-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2020
• End date: February 28, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Industrial Operations and Equipment for Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Alexandre Moreira da Silva
• Grantee: Vinicius Seferian Scheffer Machado
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The spouted bed is an equipment used in unit operations such as drying, coating, and particle granulation. It has the advantage of developing a cyclic dynamic particle movement, which allows high heat and mass transfer rates, being the stable spout regime, a desirable operating condition. In this context, it is essential to monitor the fluid-dynamic regimes that occur during the operation of a spouted bed. Therefore, the objective of this research project is to use the wavelet transform to process the pressure fluctuation signals in order to identify the contact regimes (fixed bed, internal spout, minimum spout, stable spout, and unstable spout) during the evolution of the fluid-dynamic curve of the spherical glass particles (2.6 and 3.1 mm), varying the load mass by 1.0 and 1.5 kg. The pressure signals were obtained by Butzge (2012) and will be processed by the wavelet transform, a promising alternative technique, which has been given prominence in recent decades, to identify fluidized bed regimes but not yet studied in a spouted bed. Comparisons between time-domain analysis, spectral analysis and wavelet will be performed. A better understanding of the scale structures of a spouted bed and the fluid-dynamic regime transitions might be unveiled. Monitoring by wavelet analysis is essential for detailed mapping of the predominant frequencies of each regime and for the development of process control. (AU)