Influence of process conditions on the product properties in a continuous fluidized bed spray granulation process

ABSTRACT Improper disposal of sand used in molding processes after casting increases logistical costs and environmental impact because of the presence of the phenolic resin in its composition. The regeneration process of waste foundry phenolic sand (WFPS) aims to recycle this material. As mechanical regeneration methods are not efficient to guarantee 100% cleaning of the sand grains and their use again in the molding process, this work investigated the efficiency of a method of thermal regeneration of this type of residue that can be employed as a complementary procedure. A laboratory-scale fluidized bed reactor was designed and built to regenerate WFPS that was previously treated by a mechanical method. The methodology used to design and construct the fluidized bed prototype is described, as well as the characterization of the residual, the standard clean sand and the regenerated sand. The results of the thermal regeneration in the fluidized bed were very satisfactory with respect to the regeneration efficiency. For the nine process conditions tested, loss on ignition values were reduced when compared to standard clean sand. This study presents the advantages of a combination of two processes, mechanical and thermal regeneration, which allows to reduce the time and eventual temperature of resin removal due to the partial removal of the resin layer or its weakening during the mechanical regeneration process. Of the nine process conditions tested, six had loss on ignition values below the CSS. Thus, the thermal regeneration in the fluidized bed results was quite satisfactory in relation to the regeneration efficiency.

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Thermal Pyrolysis of Polyethylene in Fluidized Beds: Review of the Influence of Process Parameters on Product Distribution

Journal of Energy Resources Technology ◽

10.1115/1.4006790 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 134 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

K. Suresh Kumar Reddy ◽

Pravin Kannan ◽

Ahmed Al Shoaibi ◽

C. Srinivasakannan

Keyword(s):

Fluidized Bed ◽

Process Parameters ◽

Fluidized Beds ◽

Pyrolysis Temperature ◽

Liquid Product ◽

Product Distribution ◽

Major Influence ◽

Process Conditions ◽

Influence Of Process Parameters ◽

Thermal Pyrolysis

The present work is an attempt to compile and analyze the most recent literature pertaining to thermal pyrolysis of plastic waste using fluidized bed reactors. The review is short owing to the small number of work reported in the open literature in particular to the fluidized beds. Although works on pyrolysis are reported in fixed beds, autoclaves, and fluidized beds, vast majority of them address to the utilization of fluidized bed due to their advantages and large scale adaptability. The pyrolysis temperature and the residence time are reported to have major influence on the product distribution, with the increase in pyrolysis temperature favoring gas production, with significant reduction in the wax and oil. The pyrolysis gas generally contains H2, CO, CO2, CH4, C2H4, C2H6 while liquid product comprises benzene, toluene, xylene, styrene, light oil, heavy oil, and gasoline with the variations depending on process conditions. The effects of other process parameters, namely fuel feed rate, fuel composition, and fluidizing medium have been reviewed and presented.

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