EARS early agglomeration recognition system

EARS (early agglomeration recognition system) at ECN is a tool for monitoring the condition of a fluidised bed in terms of agglomeration or, more generally, particle size distribution.

EARS has three main elements: Measurement system Data processing system Process control instructions

In-bed pressure fluctuations are measured at single or multiple locations using sensitive piezoelectric pressure transducers.  The processing unit calculates a signal, which can be interpreted as a signature of the fluidised bed hydrodynamic behaviour.  By continuous comparison of the actual signature with one obtained during a period of known stable operation a statistically sound process signal - S - is obtained that indicates the onset of agglomeration when a threshold value is exceeded.  Warning and alarm values can be set for starting manual or automated process control measures.

EARS has been able to indicate the start of agglomeration well before classical methods based on pressure or temperature differences in many small and large scale bubbling and circulating fluidised-bed experiments.

Additional information  Willem van de Kamp ECN, The Netherlands Tel. +31 224 56 4722 vandekamp@ecn.nl