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Distinguished University Professor and Chair
(614) 292-7907; fan@che.eng.ohio-state.edu
Education
B.S., National Taiwan University,
1970
M.S., West Virginia University, 1973
Ph.D., West Virginia University, 1975
M.S., (Statistics) Kansas State University, 1978
Honors
Election to National
Academy of Engineering (NAE), 2001
Malcolm E. Pruitt Award from the Council for Chemical Research (CCR),
2000
ASEE Chemical Engineering Division Union Carbide Lectureship Award, 1999
AIChE Alpha Chi Sigma Award for Chemical Engineering Research, 1996
AIChE Partical Technology Forum Fluidized Processing Recognition Award,
1995
AIChE Thomas Baron Award in Fluid-Particle System, 1994
Institution Eminent Speaker Award, the Institution of Engineers, Australia,
1994
Alexander von Humboldt Research Award for U.S. Senior Scientists,
1993 |
 My research group is engaged in fundamental
and applied research in the areas including fluidization and multiphase flow,
particulate reaction engineering, and particle technology. These areas are of
relevance to energy and environmental systems and of direct interest to the
chemical, petrochemical, mineral, and material industries. The specifics of
current research efforts in these areas are briefed below.
We are investigating the turbulent diffusion
of particles from the core-to-wall region and probing into the origin of
particle clusters in the core region of a segregated flow in a circulating
fluidized bed. Our study also extends to encompass examining the flow
structure and mixing characteristics of a turbulent fluidized bed under
high-pressure and high-temperature conditions and the effects of fine
particles on the fluidization behavior. This research group has developed a
unique large-scale flow visualization apparatus in conjunction with a
particle image velocimetry system to analyze the high-pressure and
high-temperature phenomena in gas-liquid bubble columns, slurry bubble
columns, and three-phase fluidized beds. Our research has addressed the key
issues that dictate the fluid dynamics and transport behavior of these systems
such as bubble instability, bubble formation and jetting, flow regime
transition, and heat and mass transfer mechanisms. A computational code for
discrete-phase simulation for three-phase flow has been developed and has been
verified to mimic the real flow situations.
Our research resulted in the synthesis of
calcium-based sorbents with tailored internal structure that are effective in
flue gas emission control for coal combustion. Based on this patented concept,
a new coal combustion process system has been planned for commercial
demonstration. Recent studies are focused on examining ionic diffusion through
solids, ultrafast powder reaction engineering, and kinetics of the reaction
between calcium-based powder with H2S and other toxic substances (selenium and
arsenic). The kinetic data are obtained using a specially designed
high-pressure, high-temperature differential-bed reactor capable of being
operated under fixed, fluidized, and entrained-bed conditions at pressures up
to 3.5 MPa and temperatures up to 1000oC. Measurements of the powder
properties, e.g., surface charge and internal angle of friction, are conducted
in the well-equipped powder-testing laboratory of this group.
Other than the federal and state agencies, an
industrial consortium is supporting the program with an annual consortium
symposium hosted by this research group. The interaction with the consortium
members has proven to be of great benefit to our group members over the
years. |
