Hydrodynamic Characterization of a Shallow Rectangular Spouted Bed Using Bed Pressure Signals and Image Processing Methods

To support the design of spouted bed reactors, experiments are performed in a rectangular spouted bed to measure the peak pressure drop (Delta P-max) and the internal and external spouting velocities (U-is and U-es). Four particle types spanning under Geldart D and B are used. U-is and U-es are measured from bed pressure drop and expansion ratio profiles, respectively, with the U-es/U-is ratio of each particle type obtained. Correlations predicting the Delta P-max of Geldart D and B particles are developed by reviewing published correlations and investigating the nozzle effect. Good prediction is achieved with a slope of 0.997 and an adjusted R-2 of 0.998 in a 95% confidence interval. U-es is predicted through correlations developed by adding effects of d(p)/D-i and H-0 in the Mathur-Gishler equation. The calculated U-es agrees well with the experimental data, achieving a slope of 0.998 and an adjusted R-2 of 0.998 in a 95% confidence interval.