Fluidized Bed

Introduction
Fluidized beds are widely used in different industries with success. For example, drying of
pharmaceutical powders and catalytic cracking of petroleum and coal combustion for generating
electricity are commonly performed in fluidized beds. Fluidization operations are based on
contact between a fluid stream and a mixture of solid materials, which varies for each process.
A packed bed is a column filled with packing materials. Liquid or gas can flow through a packed
bed to achieve separations or reactions. In this experiment, we will see the interaction of particles
and fluid. When a fluid, which can be liquid or gas, pass through the packing materials from
bottom to top, there will be several regimes (Figure 1).
For sufficiently low rates of flow, fluid passes through the void space between particles without
disturbing them. This case, where the bed of particles remains in place, is referred to as a fixed
bed. At higher rates of flow, the drag forces acting on the particles can exceed the gravitational
forces and lift particles. However, when the bed of particles expands, the drag force drops as
fluid velocity in the void spaces declines. The result is a highly dynamic state to which we refer
as fluidization. Regimes of fluidization which can be easily identified from qualitative
observations include bubbling and slugging patterns at relatively low flow rates and turbulent
flow patterns at higher flow rates. At very high rates of fluid flow, the drag force can exceed the
net gravitational forces on individual particles, even when the particles are widely separated. In
this regime of pneumatic conveying, particles are carried through the container and must be
reintroduced externally.

Figure 1. Fluidization regimes including fixed bed, bubbling, fluidized and conveying. (Image
taken from Perrys Chemical Engineers Handbook [2].)

Modeling, even at a qualitative level, of the complex dynamics in fluidized beds continues to
challenge engineers and scientists. The challenge arises from the necessity of considering both
the solid and fluid phases and the interplay between them to form a complete picture for
understanding the properties of fluidization. You will investigate some key parameters that
govern fluidization, including the dependence of the minimum fluidization velocity on particle
shape, size and density.

Minimum Fluidization Velocity

The minimum velocity at which a bed of particles fluidizes is one crucial parameter needed for
the design of a fluidization operation. The details of the minimum velocity will depend upon a
number of factors, including the particles shape, size, density, and polydispersity. The density,
for example, directly alters the net gravitational force acting on the particle and, hence, the
minimum drag force, or velocity, needed to lift a particle. The shape alters not only the
relationship between the drag force and velocity, but also the packing properties of the fixed bed
and the associated void spaces and velocity of fluid through them. To find the minimum
fluidizing velocity (u
m]
), experimental and theoretical approaches can be used.

Experimental approach
Measurement of pressure drop across a bed of particles can be used to identify the minimum
velocity of fluidization. As diagrammed in Figure 2, the pressure drop increases with flow rate
until the bed expands and increases the porosity (point A). As the fluid velocity is further
increased, the pressure drop attains a maximum value at point B and then falls slightly to a value
(points C to D) which is independent of fluid velocity. Point B lies above line CD because the
frictional force must be overcome before a rearrangement of particles can take place. If the
process is reversed, point E will be found instead of point B, and line EF is the process for
reforming the fixed bed.

Figure 2. Plot for pressure drop versus fluid velocity.

To experimentally identify the fluidization point (point E), the fluid velocity is increased until
the pressure goes through a maximum and then ceases to stop changing; this method defines the
line CD. The rate of fluid flow is then reduced to get the line EF. The minimum fluidization
velocity is the velocity at which these two lines intercept.

Theoretical approach
For the theoretical approach, the pressure drop for certain fluidization regimes has to be
considered. For low Reynolds numbers up to 10, i.e., laminar flow, the Carman-Kozney equation,

(-P)
E
= 18u
pu
g
c

s
2

c
2
(1 -e)
2
e
3
(1)

is valid, where -P is the frictional pressure drop across a bed depth (E), u is the superficial
fluid velocity (Superficial fluid velocity = fluid volumetric flow rate/cross-sectional area of bed,
Q/A.), p is the viscosity of fluid,
s
and
c
are the sphericity and equivalent volume diameter of
the packing materials, e is the voidage of the packed bed, and g
c
is a conversion factor (usually
equal to 1).

As the fluid velocity increases, the flow will no longer be laminar and it changes to turbulent
flow with high Reynolds numbers (greater than 2000). In this case, the Burke-Plummer equation,

(-P)
E
= 1.7S
p
]
u
2
g
c

c
(1 - e)
e
3
(2)

is taken into consideration, where p
]
is the density of fluid. In this turbulent region, the kinetic-
energy loss caused by changing channel cross-section and fluid flow direction is the main
contribution to pressure drop.

By assuming the viscous losses and the kinetic energy losses are additive, the pressure drop
across the entire region, including laminar and turbulent flow, can be obtained from Erguns
Equation,

(-P)
E
= 1Su
pu
g
c

s
2

c
2
(1 - e)
2
e
3
+ 1.7S
p
]
u
2
g
c

c
(1 - e)
e
3
(3)

Erguns equation additively combines the laminar and turbulent components of the pressure
gradient. Under laminar conditions, the first term dominates and the equation reduces to the
Carman-Kozney equation (Eq. (1)), but with the constant 150 rather than 180. In laminar flow,
the pressure gradient increases linearly with superficial fluid velocity and is independent of fluid
density. Under turbulent flow condition, the second term dominates; the pressure gradient
increases as the square of superficial fluid velocity and is independent of fluid viscosity.[2]
From this equation, we can find that the voidage of the packed bed (e) strongly affects the
pressure drop, which could make reproducibility difficult for the reverse fluidization experiment
to get line EF in Figure 2. When fluidization is about to happen, the pressure drop can be set to:

-P =
g
g
c
(1 - e
m
)(p
p
-p
]
)E
(4)

where e
m
is the voidage of the packed bed at minimum fluidization and p
p
is the density of
particles.

Substituting Eq. (4) into Eq. (3) obtains the minimum fluidization velocity (u
m]
):

1Su
pu

s
2

c
2
(1 - e
m
)
e
m
3
+ 1.7S
p
]
u
2

c
1
e
m
3
= g(p
p
- p
]
)
(5)

The Archimdes Number (Ar) is the ratio of the force of gravity to the viscous force.

Ar =

c
3
p
]
(p
p
- p
]
)g
p
2

(6)

In order to obtain a value of u
m]
from Erguns Equation, we need to know the voidage of the
bed at incipient fluidization e
m
. However, it is difficult to get an exact number for e
m
, a value of
e
m
equal to 0.4 is often used.

Wen and Yu have also developed a useful prediction correlation that can predict the minimum
fluidization velocity:
Rc
m]
= |(SS.7)
2
+ u.u4u8Ar]
0.5
- SS.7 (7)
where
Rc
m]
=

s

c
u
m]
p
]
p
(8)

Objectives

1. Understand the relationship of pressure drop and fluid velocity in packed bed and
fluidized bed. Obtain the fluidized regimes plot.
2. Use experimental and theoretical approaches to obtain the minimum fluidizing velocity,
and analyze the error between two approaches.
3. Vary the particle size, density and shape, and find out the relationship between minimum
fluidization velocity and different particle properties.

Operation Procedures
General operations

1. Table support with panel 14. Switch for diaphragm pump
2. Bypass valve for air with sound absorber 15. Rotameter for water with needle valve
3. Rotameter for air with needle 16. Bypass valve for water
4.
Single tube manometer for differential air
pressure
17. Water supply
5. Switch for diaphragm compressor
18.
20.
Sintered plate (not visible)
6. Test vessel for air
19.
21.
Distribution chamber
7. Air filter 22. Air supply
8. Scale
Further components behind the cover that are
not visible:
9. Water overflow 23.
Supply tank for water with drain tap and
safety valve
10. Fixing for the upper sintered plate 24. Diaphragm pump
11. Test vessel for water 25. Compressed air reservoir with safety valve
12. Bleed / vent valve 26. Diaphragm compressor
13. Two tube manometer for water pressure
Figure 3. Layout of Fluidized Bed G.U.N.T CE 220
Start up
1. Connect the power supply;
2. Connect the pressure measuring connections to the manometer (Figure 3 #4). Secure all
hoses at the designed points;
3. Fully open the bypass valves for air;
4. Fully close the needle valves on the rotameter;
5. Start the compressor with the relevant switch and check that it is functioning properly
(delivery noise).

Shut down
1. Fully open the bypass valves for air;
2. Fully close the needle valves on the rotameter;
3. Switch off the compressor;
4. Disconnect the power supply.
5. Get the particles out of test vessel and clean the vessel

Experimental procedures
Calibration Curve for empty bed
1. Increase the air flow rate in 1 L/min increments by adjusting the needle valve and then the
bypass valve;
2. Continuously note the air flow rate and corresponding differential pressure;
3. Continue the measurements up to the maximum flow and note the decrease data.

Filling the test vessel for air
1. Loosen the four knurled screws;
2. Lift the air filter off the cylinder flange, and set aside the air filter with the knurled screws
and spacer sleeves;
3. Pour the mass into the cylinder, and measure the weight of particles before and after filling;
4. Place the spacer sleeves, air filter and knurled screws in their original position and tighten the
knurled screws.
5. Read the initial bed height from the scale (Figure.3 #8)

Fluidizaiton and Defluidizaiton
1. Increase the air flow rate in 1 L/min increments by adjusting the needle valve and then the
bypass valve;
2. Continuously note the air flow rate and corresponding differential pressure and bed height;
3. Continue the measurements up to the maximum flow and note the decrease data;
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3.

Data Analysis
1. Plot the pressure drop (P
apparent
- P
empty bed
) versus fluid flow rate (u) and find out the
experimental minimum fluidizing velocity (u
m]
);
2. Calculate the predicted minimum fluidization velocity through Erguns Equation, Wen &
Yus Correlation, and compare them with experimental results;
3. Summarize the effect of particle properties on the minimum fluidization velocity.


Reference

1. Martin Rhodes, Introduction to particle technology, 2
nd
Ed.
2. Perrys Chemical Engineer Handbook
3. McCabe and Smith, Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering, 5
th
Ed.
4. Richardson and Coulson, Chemical Engineering, Vol. 2
5. G.U.N.T., http://www.gunt.de, CE 220 Fluidised Bed Formation

Table 1 Experimental Record Form
Particle info:

Humidity Weight(before) Height(before)
Temperature Weight(after) Height(after)
V (L/min) P (mm H
2
O) Height (cm) V (L/min) P (mm H
2
O) Height (cm)
0 30
2 29
3 28
4 27
5 26
6 25
7 24
8 23
9 22
10 21
11 20
12 19
13 18
14 17
15 16
16 15
17 14
18 13
19 12
20 11
21 10
22 9
23 8
24 7
25 6
26 5
27 4
28 3
29 2
30 0