A Low-Reynolds-Number Analysis of Gas Bubbles in Fluidized Beds

Abstract

The gas and solids flow through and around bubbles in fluidized beds is treated under the assumption that such bubbles rise at low Reynolds numbers. This enables the calculation of bubble shape. The bubbles are found to be slightly elongated and similar to a gas slug in a tube, not representative of the spherical-cap bubbles which normally appear in fluidized beds. A detailed examination of the transition from bubble to suspension phase will be needed for any precise description of bubbles which rise at intermediate Reynolds numbers.