Study and Experimental Setup of Liquid-Solid Fluidization in Rangsit University

Abstract

This article explains the basics of fluidization theory and how to construct of liquid-solid fluidization apparatus for the laboratory of the chemical engineering department at Rangsit University. The minimum fluidization velocity of solid particles (calculate from the Ergun equation) is essential for the effective operation and design of fluidized beds. All Chemical engineers need to learn about this technique to apply to the mixing processes, drying process, leaching, and washing processes. In this paper, the apparatus of a fluidized bed constructed with three different diameters of the column; that was 2.7, 5.4, and 10 cm, respectively. The three different diameters of round glass bead were a solid phase; that was 2, 3, and 4 mm, respectively. The parameter in the fluidized bed was the minimum fluidization velocity (Umf). This paper describes the experimental investigation of the liquid-solid fluidized bed. The pressure drops across the fluidized bed measured at a different liquid flow rate. The data analyzed by the graphical method. It found that the minimum fluidization velocity increases with increasing particle size, the height of the bed, and decreasing particle sphericity.