Electrically Heated Fluidized Beds─A Review

Abstract

Fluidized beds heated via fossil fuel combustion have been widely used in industry for various applications. Heating these fluidized beds with clean electricity is emerging as a promising solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve overall energy efficiency, and for some applications, improve product quality. This review covers the development status of electrically heated fluidized beds (EHFBs) with a variety of heating principles, including Joule heating, induction heating, electromagnetic irradiation, sonication, plasma heating and gas preheating. An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of these heating principles is presented, along with their suitability for different applications. Current and potential industrial applications using EHFBs for highly diversified processes, from material processing and biomass gasification to space exploration, are highlighted. Each application presents its own unique opportunities and challenges. The selection of a method to deliver electrical heat depends on the specific purpose of each application, materials involved, and the required configuration of the EHFB. Hence, methods to assess key performance indicators are described. To date, only a few applications have been commercialized, mostly for drying and material processing. Recommendations for EHFB advancement are provided so that their full potential can be realized.