Abstract

A packed bed of particles may be held against the permeable roof of a fluidized column by a fluid flux that is several times the minimum fluidization flux. When the fluid flux is sufficiently reduced, particles rain down and a decompression wave propagates into the packed bed. We report new data of the velocity of this wave, summarize previous work and compare with new analyses. The speed of the decompression wave cannot be predicted from continuum theories that contain a mutual drag force dependent only on the relative velocity and void fraction. Several hypotheses about additional forces are used to derive theoretical values of the decompression wave velocity which are compared with data. The three most successful hypotheses, which are shown to be roughly equivalent at the higher wave speeds, include: a force proportional to the second derivative of void fraction; a discrete averaging method over distances scaled by particle size; and a modification to the drag force using the geometrical relationship between area fraction and number density.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.