Ji Jianbing

Hydrodynamic Behavior in a Rotating Zigzag Bed

Abstract As a high gravity (HIGEE) unit, the rotating packed bed (RPB) uses centrifugal force to intensify mass transfer. Zigzag rotating bed (RZB) is a new type of HIGEE unit. The rotor of RZB consists of stationary discs and rotating discs, forming zigzag channels for liquid-gas flow and mass transfer. As in RPBs, some hydrodynamic behavior in RZB is interesting but no satisfactory explanation. In this study, the experiments were carried on in a RZB unit with a rotor of 600 mm in diameter using air-water system. The gas pressure drop and power consumption were measured with two types of rotating baffle for RZB rotors, one with perforations and another with shutter openings. The circumferential velocities of gas were measured with a five-hole Pitot probe. The pressure drop decreased rapidly when the liquid was introduced to the rotor, because the circumferential velocity of the liquid droplets was lower than that of the gas, reducing the circumferential velocity of gas and the centrifugal pressure drop. The power consumption decreased first when the gas entered the RZB rotor, because the gas with higher circumferential velocity facilitates the rotation of baffles.

Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium Measurements and Modeling for Ternary System Water ＋ Ethanol ＋ 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium Acetate

Abstract Vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) data were measured for ternary system water + ethanol + 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([bmim][OAc]), in a relatively wide range of ionic liquid (IL) mass fractions up to 0.8. Six sets of complete T-x-y data were obtained, in which the mole fraction of ethanol on IL-free basis was fixed separately at 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and approximate 0.98. The non-random-two-liquid (NRTL) and electrolyte non-random-two-liquid (eNRTL) equations were used for correlation, showing similar deviations. The ternary VLE was also modeled with the correlation from two data sets, with the mole fractions of ethanol on IL-free basis being 0.1 and approximate 0.98. The VLE data were also reproduced satisfactorily. With the eNRTL model, the root-mean-square deviation for temperature is 0.79 K and that for vapor-phase mole fraction is 0.0094. The calculations are in good agreement with experimental data. The effect of the IL on the VLE behavior of the volatile components is also illustrated.

Carbon Dioxide Reforming of Methane to Syngas by Thermal Plasma

Experiments were conducted on syngas preparation from dry reforming of methane by carbon dioxide with a DC arc plasma at atmospheric pressure. In all experiments, nitrogen gas was used as the working gas for thermal plasma to generate a high-temperature jet into a horizontal tube reactor. A mixture of methane and carbon dioxide was fed vertically into the jet. In order to obtain a higher conversion rate of methane and carbon dioxide, chemical energy efficiency and fuel production efficiency, parametric screening studies were conducted, in which the volume ratio of carbon dioxide to methane in fed gases and the total flux of fed gases were taken into account. Results showed that carbon dioxide reforming of methane to syngas by thermal plasma exhibited a larger processing capacity, higher conversion of methane and carbon dioxide and higher chemical energy efficiency and fuel production efficiency. In addition, thermodynamic simulation for the reforming process was conducted. Experimental data agreed well with the thermodynamic results, indicating that high thermal efficiency can be achieved with the thermal plasma reforming process.

Effects of Pulse Ultrasound on Adsorption of Geniposide on Resin 1300 in a Fixed Bed

Abstract The effects of pulse ultrasound with different pulse parameters on the breakthrough curves of Geniposide on Resin 1300 were studied. The mass transfer model describing the adsorption process was constructed. Adsorption capability and the overall mass-transfer coefficient were obtained by fitting the constructed mass-transfer model and the experimental data. The effects of pulse ultrasound on adsorption of Geniposide on Resin1300 in a fixed bed were studied and compared. Amount of Geniposide adsorbed on Resin 1300 in the presence of ultrasound is lower than that in the absence of ultrasound, but the mass-transfer rate with ultrasonic irradiation is higher than that without ultrasound. Furthermore, mass transfer rate is enhanced by pulse modulation. In the conditions studied, the adsorption equilibrium constant decreases with increasing ultrasonic power, while the overall mass-transfer coefficient increases. With increasing pulse duty ratio, adsorption equilibrium constant decreases initially, reaches a minimum when pulse duty ratio is 0.5, and then increases. On the contrary, the overall mass-transfer coefficient increases initially and reaches a maximum when pulse ratio is 0.5, and then decreases. Effects of pulse period on adsorption equilibrium and mass transfer rate reached the peak at pulse period of 28.6 ms.

A preliminary study on hydrogen-rich gas production by pyrolysis of glycerol in molten alkali

Experiment study on the pyrolysis of glycerol for hydrogen-rich gas production in molten alkali has been carried out in a self-designed reactor. The impact of molten alkali on the distribution of gas production was discussed. Operation parameters like pyrolysis temperature, carrier gas flow rate and feed rate, as well as catalyst types, were investigated for their influences on the hydrogen production yield. The results show that components like CO and CO2 in pyrolysis gas were absorbed by molten alkali, so there are only H2 and a small amount of CH4 in product gas. Higher carrier gas flow rate and lower feed rate are favorable to improve the hydrogen production yield, and the hydrogen production yield could reach 0.966 Nm3 H2/kg of glycerol when pyrolysis temperature was 400_, carrier gas flow rate was 200 L/h, feed rate was 3.38 g/min. The catalysts of MCM-41 zeolite and NiCl2 are helpful for improving the hydrogen production yield.