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Problem 2A.4

(1) The maximum diameter of catalyst particles that could be lost in the stack gas is estimated to be 110 microns. (2) Stokes' law can be used to estimate this because the Reynolds number is less than 1, indicating laminar flow. (3) The calculation involves setting the sum of forces on a particle at the center of the stack to zero and solving for particle diameter, taking into account gravitational, buoyant, and drag forces.

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258 views2 pages

Problem 2A.4

(1) The maximum diameter of catalyst particles that could be lost in the stack gas is estimated to be 110 microns. (2) Stokes' law can be used to estimate this because the Reynolds number is less than 1, indicating laminar flow. (3) The calculation involves setting the sum of forces on a particle at the center of the stack to zero and solving for particle diameter, taking into account gravitational, buoyant, and drag forces.

Uploaded by

Jin Ping
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2A.

4 Page 1 of 2

Problem 2A.4
Loss of catalyst particles in stack gas.

(a) Estimate the maximum diameter of microspherical catalyst particles that could be lost in
the stack gas of a fluid cracking unit under the following conditions:

Gas velocity at axis of stack = 1.0 ft/s (vertically upward)


Gas viscosity = 0.026 cp
Gas density = 0.045 lbm /ft3
Density of a catalyst particle = 1.2 g/cm3

Express the result in microns (1 micron = 10−6 m = 1µm).

(b) Is it permissible to use Stokes’ law in (a)?

Answers: (a) 110 µm; Re = 0.93

Solution

Convert all the given quantities to SI units and assign variables to them. The conversion factors
can be found on page 868 and 870.

ft 1m m
Gas velocity at axis of stack v∞ = 1.0 × ≈ 0.3049
s 3.28 ft s
10−3 Pa · s
Gas viscosity µ = 0.026 ×
cp = 2.6 × 10−5 Pa · s
1cp

 3
lbm 1 kg 3.28 @
ft kg
Gas density ρg = 0.045 3 × × ≈ 0.7203 3

ZftZ 2.2046 
lbm 1m m
 3
g 1 kg cm
100 H kg
Density of a catalyst particle ρc = 1.2 H 3 × × = 1200 3
H
cmH 1000 g 1m m

Part (a)

Gas particles in a stack flow upward. Those at the center of the stack travel at the highest
velocity since they are furthest from the walls. Consequently, to find the maximum diameter of a
catalyst particle, we consider one at the center of the stack. Catalysts that are lost do not rise up
with the rest of the gas; rather, they fall at terminal velocity in the stack and have an acceleration
of zero. The sum of the forces acting on one in the y-direction must be equal to zero. The
gravitational force is pulling the catalysts down, and the buoyant and kinetic (drag) forces are
pushing them up.

X
Fy = F − Fg = 0
4 3 4 3
= πR ρg g + 2πµRv∞ + 4πµRv∞ − πR ρc g =0
|3 {z } | {z } | {z }
form drag friction drag
|3 {z }
buoyant force weight of catalyst
4
= πR3 g(ρg − ρc ) + 6πµRv∞ = 0
3

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2A.4 Page 2 of 2

Figure 1: Free body diagram of a catalyst particle at the center of a stack. Define upward forces
to be positive.

Solve this equation for the radius R.


s
6µv∞ 3
R= ·
g(ρc − ρg ) 4
s
9µv∞
=
2g(ρc − ρg )
s
9(2.6 × 10−5 Pa · s)(0.3049 m/s)
≈
2(9.81 m/s2 )(1200 − 0.7203) kg/m3
≈ 5.5 × 10−5 m

The diameter is twice the radius.


D = 2R ≈ 2(5.5 × 10−5 m)
1 micron
≈ 1.1 × 10−4 
×
m = 110 microns
10−6 
m

Part (b)

Calculate the Reynolds number.

Dv∞ ρg (1.1 × 10−4 m)(0.3049 m/s)(0.7203 kg/m3 )


Re = ≈
µ (2.6 × 10−5 Pa · s)
≈ 0.93

Since the Reynolds number is less than 1, Stokes’ law is valid.

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