Particles movement behavior and apparent density in gas-solid fluidized bed as determined by an electronic dynamometer and electrical capacitance tomography

Fluidization technology is extensively applied in the field of wastewater treatment, the petroleum industry, and coal separation. In some industrial production processes, large particles exist in the fluidized bed. For the mentioned industrial applications, the prediction of the separation density is critical for discharging some large particles. Due to the existence of a defluidized hood above large particles, the theoretical analysis of the defluidized hood was conducted by combining the prediction correlation of the previous separation density. The main experiments were carried out to analyze the force acting on large particles. The electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) was employed to capture particles positions. It is founded that gas velocity has significant effects on the volume of the defluidized hood while bed height has slight effects on the volume of the defluidized hood. Moreover, the modified correlation of apparent separation density was developed for large particle density. The new model is in good agreement with the data both from the literature and this experiment.

Automated summary

Fluidization technology is widely used in industrial processes, and the prediction of separation density is crucial for discharging large particles. Experimental and theoretical analysis show that gas velocity significantly affects the volume of the defluidized hood, while bed height has a smaller impact. A modified correlation for apparent separation density was developed for large particles, showing good agreement with data from literature and experiments.