Fluidized Bedreactor Modelling and Simulation with ASPEN Plus for Alumina (AL2O3) Production Systems.

Abstract

Fluidized bed reactor is useful for heterogeneous (multi phase) reactions, separations, size enlargement, coating, and blending in chemical and pharmaceuticals industries. To develop a model and simulation of this reactor with advanced systems process engineering software (Aspen Plus). Aspen plus has the capability to simulate real factory performance, design improved plants, and intensify profitability in present plants. This modeling and simulation are applied Geldart B particle classification, GGC is used for particle size distribution function, Newton parameters for mass convergence, and Ergun equation is used for minimum fluidization velocity calculation and pressure drop through the fluidized bed reactor. Generally, most of the predictions model from Aspen plus is a reasonable agreement through the experimental results. Advantage of this investigation is used small quantity of bed particles and identified their melting point temperature is above 340°C. This fluidized bed reactor model and simulation is functional for aluminum hydroxide decomposition reaction. The feed 275 kg/hr of Al(OH)3is converted into 169.6 kg/hr of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and 89.9 kg/hr of water. A total mass conversion percent is 94.4% of aluminum hydroxide.