Electrical capacitance tomography for gas–solids flow measurement for circulating fluidized beds

Gas–solids flows in the risers of circulating fluidised beds (CFBs) and cyclones exhibit complex physical behaviour, such as local backflow and recirculation. The difficulties in accurate measurement of gas–solids flows stem from various flow regimes, which exist in multi-phase flows in pipelines and vessels. It is necessary to investigate the solids’ fraction profile, flow regime identification, image reconstruction, flow acceleration and flow velocity. Electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) is regarded to be a successful technology for imaging industrial processes containing dielectric materials. ECT would help understanding of gas–particle interaction, particle–boundary interaction and the influence of gas on the solids’ flow turbulence.

The first part of this paper covers some new developments in ECT, i.e., algorithms for 3D image presentation and on-line iterative image reconstruction. The second part presents a novel non-intrusive technique for measuring axial and angular velocities. Theoretical and experimental studies, carried out using cross-correlation techniques in a cyclone separator dipleg, confirm the feasibility of on-line velocity measurement. Experimental results from various gas–solids flow facilities, CFB and cyclone, are presented.