Axial solid distribution in gas-solid fluidized beds

• Published in: AIChE journal 1962-05, Vol.8 (2), p.239-244
• Main Authors: Fan, Liang-Tseng, Lee, Chau Jen, Bailie, Richard C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0001-1541; 1547-5905
• DOI: 10.1002/aic.690080222

Γ‐ray attenuation method was applied to determine the axial fluidizing bulk density profile for an air‐solid aggregative fluidized bed. Except for beds fluidized at very high air velocities two distinct density zones were noted. The density of the bed in the lower portion of the column was relatively constant for a particular set of operating conditions and did not vary with bed height. The density in the top portion of the bed fell rapidly with bed height. The average density of the lower zone was correlated as a function of the operating variables. The density in the top zone was represented by a one‐tail normal distribution curve. A somewhat better correlation was obtained by a two‐parameter equation at high air velocities. The effects of operational variables, such as air velocity, static bed height, particle size, and particle‐size distribution on these correlations were investigated. Friction‐factor correlations based on two different definitions of bed height were also obtained.