Use of Pulsation to Control Polydispersed Particle Flow in a New Type of Pulsed Column

New internals have been designed and implemented in a semi-industrial continuous solid-liquid pulsed column. By coupling these internals with a non-sinusoidal pulsation, a better control of polydispersed solid particles is achieved. The pulsation is composed of a mixing step during which only the liquid flows through the column and an impulsion step designed to transport the solid phase from stage to stage. Solid and liquid phase behaviors are characterized thanks to residence time distribution measurements. This study demonstrates the strong impact of the pulsation and of the liquid flow rate during the impulsion in reducing particle segregation inside the pilot. The effects of operating parameters on the liquid phase are also investigated and the choice of an operating compromise is discussed to balance the advantages and drawbacks of the process.