Impact of local fluidized bed hydrodynamics on the distribution of liquid sprayed into the bed

In industrial Fluid Coking™ processes, wet agglomerates formed with coke particles flowing down from the spray regions to the stripper section cause fouling of the stripper sheds, which is a major operating problem. The objective of this work was to determine how to reduce agglomeration by increasing the superficial gas velocity, modifying the gas distributor configuration, or adding internals such as baffles. All these approaches were able to reduce agglomeration. Increasing the superficial gas velocity from 0.18 to 1 m/s reduced the proportion of the injected liquid that was trapped in agglomerates by 50%. Concentrating the gas bubble flow to the first half of the jet cavity with a baffle provided a further reduction in liquid trapped by 12%. [Display omitted] •Increasing gas velocity reduces agglomerates formation.•Concentrating gas flow to 1st half of spray cavity reduces agglomerates formation.•Asymmetrical successfully redirected the gas flow to baffle tip region.