Enhancement of electrostatic suppression in bubbling fluidized bed through carbon fiber addition

Electrostatics is known to cause significant disturbance to particles in gas-solid fluidized beds, necessitating the deployment of an efficient electrostatic suppressor. As such, this study delves into the electrostatic suppression effects of carbon fiber, carbon fiber powder, and their hybrids in a fluidized bed, including their fluidization characteristics, using electrostatic measurements and CFD-DEM simulations. The results show that the additives had noteworthy electrostatic inhibition effects, albeit with distinct limitations. Carbon fiber was effective at high air velocities, but its performance was subpar at low gas velocities. In contrast, carbon fiber powder was suitable for low gas velocities, but turbulence diluted its effectiveness. Such limitations can, however, be mitigated through optimization of a specific mixing ratio between the two additives. The proposed carbon fiber (powder) composite reveals its potential as an effective electrostatic suppressor.

Automated summary

This study investigates the electrostatic suppression effects of carbon fiber, carbon fiber powder, and their hybrids in a fluidized bed. The results indicate that these additives have significant electrostatic inhibition effects, although they also have limitations. Carbon fiber is effective at high air velocities, while carbon fiber powder works well at low gas velocities. Turbulence, however, dilutes the effectiveness of carbon fiber powder. The proposed carbon fiber (powder) composite shows potential as an effective electrostatic suppressor.