Hydrodynamics of Reduced Pressure Fluidization Employing Particles with Variable Density

A series of experiments was carried out to study the hydrodynamics of a fluidized bed operating at reduced pressure and employing particles with variable moisture content; that is, of variable density. In these experiments, four different types of particles were used and fluidization characteristics very similar to the ones encountered in atmospheric pressure operations were observed. A novel method to measure the minimum fluidization velocity of particles with varying density was proposed. The experimental results demonstrated that the minimum fluidization velocity increased with decreased operating pressure, increased operating temperature, and increased particle moisture content. However, the bed voidage under minimum fluidization conditions showed very little sensitivity to variations in operating pressure. Two equations were developed to predict the minimum fluidization velocity and the results were compared with the experimental data as well as with the predictions of equations available in the technical literature.