Hydrodynamic Behavior in Palm Shells and Sand Mixtures Fluidization

Utilization of palm shells in gasification technology known as Compartmented Fluidized Bed Gasifier (CFBG) system which uses air as a gasification agent to produce a high heating value of syngas for power generation and chemical processes. Hence, it does not only give the potential source of renewable energy but also utilizing the waste in a sustainable way. Fluidization quality is a determining factor in CFBG to guarantee its well-mixed behavior when gasification is concerned. The fluidized behavior of sand / palm shell binary mixtures of different particles sizes and densities is studied in CFBG of 66 cm ID, consisting of two compartments, combustor and gasifier in a respective ratio of 2:1, fluidized with air. The minimum fluidization velocity (Umf), fluidization quality (Q), incipient bed voidage, incipient and expanded bed height are reported in 2, 5, 10 and 15 weight percentage of palm shells.