Strathclyde Fluidised Bed
Composite recycling
Testing Plan
Several tests must be conducted to verify that the fluidised bed rig functions efficiently. Temperature, airflow and fluidisation trials will be conducted before rig operation.
Fluidisation
Once the blower and the piping to the reactor are installed, the airflow will be tested to ensure fluidisation velocity can be reached. The airflow can be varied by means of a damping plate attached to the fan-blower. This will allow modification of the flow velocity until optimal fluidisation conditions are reached.
Reactor & AirFlow Temperature
After the installation of the heating system to the reactor, tests will be undertaken to ensure operational temperature can be reached. The operational temperature of the sand bed should be between 450˚C and 650˚C depending on the composite material that is to be recycled. The rig has been designed to reach a maximum sand temperature of 650˚C with a control system to allow the operating temperature to be varied.
Separation System Efficiency
The cyclone separation system has been designed to the smallest particle diameter expected to be produced by the rig. Thus it is expected that most particles released into the airflow by the fluidised bed rig will be extracted by means of the cyclone. This premise will be tested through releasing a controlled amount of particles into the airflow under low temperature testing conditions. A 'concept test' was performed on a prototype cyclone with somewhat positive results. This test is shown in the embedded video below.
It is expected that the separation system may require a number of additions to increase its usefulness. Expected additions are: an induction fan to increase the flow through the cyclone; a fibre separator to remove the fibres from the airflow without damaging them; and a heat recovery system. These additions were beyond the scope of the current work but the rig has designed in such a manner that adaptions can be easily achieved.