Hydrodynamics of Geldart group A particles in gas-solid fluidized beds

Abstract

Geldart group A particles were fluidized in a 10 cm i.d.×1.8 m high Plexiglas-made bed with ambient air to determine the hydrodynamic properties in a gas-solid fluidized bed. The effects of static bed heights, position of pressure measuring points, differential and absolute pressure fluctuations on the hydrodynamic behavior of a Geldart group A particles in a gas-solid fluidized bed were investigated. The particles used in this study were 80 micrometer FCC powders and 60 micrometer glass beads. The variance of pressure fluctuations was used to find the minimum bubbling velocity. The obtained minimum bubbling velocity was compared with the other methods available in the literature. This method was found to be much easier and had better data reproducibility than the classical visual method or sedimentation method. The variance of pressure fluctuations increased due to the increase of superficial gas velocity and static bed height. The obtained minimum bubbling velocity and pressure fluctuations were found to depend on the measuring position along the axial direction. The effect of measuring position was discussed. Cross-correlation of two pressure signals was used to find the delay time, then the bubble rising velocity.