Effect of Polymer Granules on the Electrostatic Behavior in Gas—Solid Fluidized Beds

Granules polymers electrostatic behavior in a fluidized bed can be complicated by the differences in catalyst residue and surface properties among them. Electrically charged particles cling together in large aggregates and adhere to the wall of the apparatus. Polymer particles with the same chemical composition but different sizes would have their own special contributions to the generation of static charges. It is improtant to understand polymer particles role on electrostatic charge generation and dissipation. Experiments are carried out in a gas−solid fluidized bed with nitrogen as the fluidization gas to determine the relationship between the electrostatic charge level and the size of the polyethylene granule. By measuring the electrostatic potentials at different bed axial heights, it is found that the electric field inside the bed is significantly influenced by the size, weight fractions, and catalyst residue of added granular polyethylene. Consequently, an impact factor of granules (Fb) is proposed...