Minimum Fluidization Velocity in a Three Phase Inverse Fluidized Bed Reactor with Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluids

Abstract

The influence of operational parameters and the effect of viscosity on minimum fluidization velocity, Ulmf (minimum fluidization liquid velocity) and Ugmf (minimum fluidization gas velocity) were investigated in a three-phase inverse fluidized bed reactor using low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) particles. The Ulmf showed an increasing trend with an increase in particle diameter. The effect of superficial gas velocity, Ug on Ulmf and the effect of superficial liquid velocity, Ul on Ugmf for water, glycerol and carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) as the liquid phase were studied. With an increase in Ug, the Ulmf decreased and with an increase in Ul, the Ugmf also decreased. With an increase in the viscosity (concentration) of glycerol and CMC, Ulmf decreased. Correlations for the prediction of Ulmf in Newtonian and non-Newtonian systems are proposed.