Estimation of Bed Expansion and Separation Density of Gas–Solid Separation Fluidized Beds Using a Micron-Sized-Particle-Dense Medium

Abstract

Coal is the dominant energy resource in China. With the Chinese policy of committing to reducing peak carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality, coal separation has recently become a hot topic, especially the fluidized separation of fine particles. In this study, micron-sized particles were introduced to ameliorate the properties of the traditional fluidized bed. The expansion characteristics of the micron-sized-particle-dense medium were explored. A bed expansion prediction model of the micron-sized-particle-dense medium was established, and the prediction error was about 10%, providing a theoretical basis for understanding the distribution characteristics of the bed. This model also helped predict the bed density in the presence of a micron-sized-particle-dense medium, and the prediction accuracy was between 85% and 92%, providing a theoretical basis for selecting and popularizing fluidized beds for industrial separation.