Distributing liquid in a fluid bed reactor into turbulent and non-turbulent zones

摘要

In a vertical down-flow fluid bed reactor, suspended particles in liquid proximal to an inlet in an uppermost part of the reactor are agitated to form a downward extending turbulent zone having vigorously moving particles and a non-turbulent zone distal to the inlet having essentially stationary particles in liquid below and adjoining the turbulent zone. In a vertical up-flow fluid bed reactor, an upward extending turbulent zone is formed proximal to an inlet in a lowermost part of the reactor and the non-turbulent zone is above the turbulent zone. The downward or upward extend of the turbulent zone is determined by the degree of agitation. The particles may contain an active substance and be in the form of a conglomerate of base particles having a desired density to control floatation or sedimentation. Particles in the turbulent and non-turbulent zones may be different such as having different specific gravities. Liquid in the reactor may contain an enzyme or microorganism to be immobilized on the particles, or a protein to be purified by binding to the particles. Waste water may be treated in the reactor with particles containing an immobilized enzyme or microorganism, or with ion exchange conglomerate particles.