This work proposes a new strategy for the scaling of bubbling fluidized bed reactors. This strategy is based on the bubble size distribution, bubble coalescence phenomenon, and the chemical reactivity, allowing to deduct the dimensionless number Chejne-Macias-Maya that must remain constant at different scales to guarantee the fluidization regime. The proposed strategy is validated from computational simulations carried out at different operating conditions. Additionally, limits for the validity of this scaling strategy were determined, which agrees with those reported in the literature.

This work proposes a novel population-balance based model for a bubbling fluidized bed reactor. This model considers two continuum phases: bubble and emulsion. The evolution of the bubble size distribution was modeled using a population balance, considering both axial and radial motion. This sub-model involves a new mathematical form for the aggregation frequency, which predicts the migration of bubbles from the reactor wall towards the reactor center. Additionally, the reacting particles were considered as a lagrangian phase, which exchanges mass with the emulsion phases. For each particle, the variation of the pore size distribution was also considered. The model presented here accurately predicted the experimental data for biochar gasification in a lab-scale bubbling fluidized bed reactor. Finally, the aggregation frequency is shown to serve as a scaling parameter.