Dynamic interacting bubble simulation (DIBS): an agent-based bubble model for reacting fluidized beds.

In this paper we explore the global dynamics of an agent-type model for bubbles in gas-fluidized beds and demonstrate that these features are consistent with experimentally observed behavior. The model accounts for the simultaneous interactions of thousands of individual bubbles and includes mass-transfer and first-order reactions between the gas and solids so that the impact of the dynamics is reflected in reactant conversion. We start with model parameters that have been demonstrated to produce time average behavior consistent with experimental reactor measurements. By observing the temporal variations of spatially averaged bubble properties, we are able to clearly distinguish the onset of global low-dimensional features that appear to be consistent with previous observations. The most prominent of these features is a large-scale oscillation that exhibits intermittency with power-law scaling in the vicinity of a critical gas flow. We show that the oscillation occurs as the result of a globally synchronized horizontal movement of the bubbles toward the center of the reactor. The oscillation appears to be consistent with the occurrence of the so-called "slugging" phenomenon, which is known to have large effects on fluidized bed reactor performance. Although this model can clearly be further improved, its success in replicating several of the key features of slugging indicates that this approach can serve as a useful tool for understanding and possibly controlling fluidized bed dynamics. We also conjecture that this model may be useful for more generally understanding the occurrence of global features in high-dimensional, multi-agent systems.

Maintenance of chaos in a computational model of a thermal pulse combustor.

The dynamics of a thermal pulse combustor model are examined. It is found that, as a parameter related to the fuel flow rate is varied, the combustor will undergo a transition from periodic pulsing to chaotic pulsing to a chaotic transient leading to flameout. Results from the numerical model are compared to those obtained from a laboratory-scale thermal pulse combustor. Finally the technique of maintenance (or anticontrol) of chaos is successfully applied to the model, with the result that the operation of the combustor can be continued well into the flameout regime. (c) 1997 American Institute of Physics.

Chaos in thermal pulse combustion.

An experimental thermal pulse combustor and a differential equation model of this device are shown to exhibit chaotic behavior under certain conditions. Chaos arises in the model by means of a progression of period-doubling bifurcations that occur when operating parameters such as combustor wall temperature or air/fuel flow are adjusted to push the system toward flameout. Bifurcation sequences have not yet been reproduced experimentally, but similarities are demonstrated between the dynamic features of pressure fluctuations in the model and experiment. Correlation dimension, Kolmogorov entropy, and projections of reconstructed attractors using chaotic time series analysis are demonstrated to be useful in classifying dynamical behavior of the experimental combustor and for comparison of test data to the model results. Ways to improve the model are suggested. (c) 1995 American Institute of Physics.