Research on the Relationship between Flow Patterns of FCC Catalyst and Open Rate of Butterfly Valve in the Inclined Pipe

To investigate the flow rate characteristics of FCC conveying along with the inclined pipe, the experiment was carried out in a 150 mm diameter 45°inclined pipe. Not only were the flow patterns observed but also the particle mass flux was measured during the conveying process of solids by changing opening rate of butterfly valve in order to study the relationship between particle mass flux and opening rate of butterfly valve. Experimental results showed that the opening rate of butterfly valve can be divided into one controlled range and two uncontrolled ranges. When the opening rate of butterfly valve is in the range from 3 to 7, the butterfly valve is in the controlled range whose flow patterns are undulated flow and gas-solid stratified flow, which has the function of particle mass flux regulation. If opening rate of butterfly valve is smaller than 3 or bigger than 7, the valve has no action on particle mass flux regulation, whose flow patterns are creeping flow and fluidized flow. In different opening rates of butterfly valve, the fluctuation profile of particle mass flux is of great difference during the whole particle feeding process. In a specific opening rate of butterfly valve, there are remarkable differences concerning the fluctuation profile of particle mass flux during the different time periods. In general, the profile of particle mass flux of undulated flow has the most severe fluctuations.