1

CHE 391
Chemical engineering lab I

Experiment 7

Pressure drop studies in Packed bed, Fluidized bed and Spouted
bed



Date of submission: 21/1/10
Date of experiment: 14/1/10


Submitted by

Name: Purushottam Sinha Roll No.: (Y7327)
Name: Rishi Raj Singh Roll No.: (Y7360)







Department of Chemical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

2
Contents
Introduction 3
Objectives 5
Theory and Formulae 6
Experimental setup 9
Procedure 10
Observation and Results 11
Rotameter calibration 12
Fluidized bed 13
Packed bed 21
Spouted bed 24
Discussion 29
Precautions 30
Answers to Questions 30
Nomenclature 32
References 33

3
INTRODUCTION

Fluidized Bed:
A fluidized bed reactor (FBR) is a type of reactor device that can be used to
carry out a variety of multiphase chemical reactions. In this type of reactor,
a fluid (gas or liquid) is passed through a granular solid material (usually a
catalyst possibly shaped as tiny spheres) at high enough velocities to
suspend the solid and cause it to behave as though it were a fluid. A
uniform fluidization which is the most desirable regime of operation of
industrial fluidized beds is prone to instabilities. At the fluid flow increases,
bubbles of clear fluid are formed at the bottom of the bed and these
bubbles travel to the surface.This process, known as fluidization, imparts
many important advantages to the FBR. As a result, the fluidized bed
reactor is now used in many industrial applications. It is extensively
employed in a heat exchanger, catalytic and non-catalytic reactors, ion
exchange, drying, coating adsorption etc.
Packed beds:
In chemical processing, a packed bed is a hollow tube, pipe, or other vessel
that is filled with a packing material. The packing can be randomly filled
with small objects like Raschig rings or else it can be a specifically designed
structured packing. The purpose of a packed bed is typically to improve
contact between two phases in a chemical or similar process. Packed beds
can be used in a chemical reactor, a distillation process, or a scrubber
where large area is necessary to provide intimate contact between two
phases, gas-liquid or liquid-liquid.
Spouted beds:
In this a gas jet is injected into a bed of large-sized particles stored in a
vessel, usually with a conical bottom. Spouted beds are used for drying
grains. Following figures show these different types of beds.





4







Figure: Fluidized Bed Figure: Packed Bed


Figure: Spouted Bed


5




OBJECTIVES


Fluidized bed:

To study the fluidization characteristics of a bed of sand by air.
To study the effect of particle Reynolds number on void fraction.
To calculate fluidization efficiency.


Packed bed:

To verify the relationship between the velocity of the fluid and
pressure drop per unit length of packing.
To verify Ergun's equation.


Spouted bed:

To determine pressure drop per unit length as a function of
superficial air velocity.




6

THEORY & FORMULAE

Packed bed:

As a fluid passes through the bed it does so through empty spaces in the
bed. The voids form continuous channels throughout the bed. While the
flow may be laminar in some region it is turbulent in other channels. The
resistance due to friction per unit length of the bed can be taken as the :
(1) sum of viscous drag forces which is proportional to the first power of
fluid velocity v and
(2) inertial forces which are proportional to the square of the fluid
velocity. The pressure drop per unit length is given as


(8)

Where
P: pressure drop across column
Z: packed bed height

g
: viscosity (air)
: fractional void volume
g
c
: Newtons law proportionality factor
a
p
: square feet of packing surface in a cubic foot of packed volume

g
: fluid (air) density



Fluidized bed:

When a fluid passes upwardsthrough a bed of solids there will be certain
pressure drop across the bed required to maintain the fluid flow.Depending
upon the bed geometry, and particle characteristics the fluidization
phenomenon occur at a particular fluid velocity.
(
(

|
.
|

\
|

=
A
G
d d g
G
Z
P
p
g
p c g
75 . 1
) 1 ( 150
1
3
c
c
c

7
In a fluidized bed of height L, the total upward force due to pressure
difference must be equal to the buoyant weight of solids
where is called the porosity of the bed.

At the onset of fluidization, the pressure drop across the bed equals the
weight of bed per unit area of cross section. This gives a minimum
fluidization velocity

(3)
) 1 ( 150
)g - ( d
V
3 2
p
f mf
mf f s
mf
c
c

=

The simplified expression for minimum fluidization velocity given by Kunni
and Levenspiel are as under.

(5) 1000 Re
5 . 24
)g - ( d
V
(4) 20 Re
1650
)g - ( d
V
P
2
p
P
2
p
> =
> =
f
f s
mf
f
f s
mf

Pressure drop across a fixed bed (Erguns Equation):

(6)


Fluidization efficiency = (GF GE)/GF (7)

Where
GF: Mass velocity of fluid theoretically required to produce fluidization,
kg/s.m
2
GE: Mass velocity of fluid actually causing initial expansion of bed, kg/s.m
2


(2)
LA
W
- 1
(1) )g - )( - (1
L

s
s

c
c
=
=
A
f s
P
(
(

|
.
|

\
|
=
A
p
g
p c g
d d g
G
Z
P
c
c
c

) 1 ( 150
1
3
8
Spouted bed:


In the spouted state the pressure drop across the bed arises out of two
parallel resistances, namely that of the spout in which dilute phase
transport is occurring, and that of the annulus which is downward moving
packed bed with counterflow of gas.The fluid is injected vertically through a
centrally located small opening at the base of the vessel. At sufficiently high
fluid velocity, the overall bed becomes a composite of dilute phase central
core with upward moving solids entrained by a concurrent flow of fluid and
a dense phase annular region with counter current percolation of fluid. A
conical base with fluid coming from the apex is used to obtain better fluid
motion and to avoid dead spaces in the vessel. For a bed of height H the
minimum fluidization pressure drop is given by the following equation:
P
f
= H (
s

f
)(1 ) g (9)

If we assume that annulus as a loose packed bed with viscous flow, Munuro
and Hattori showed that the pressure gradient along the bed length is:


(10)


On integrating this equation for a bed of height H, it gives the spouting
pressure drop by the following equation:

P
s
= (
s

f
)(1-
mf
)(0.75H) (11)

The corresponding pressure drop P
s
for a fully turbulent flow in annulus
is given by:

-Ps = (
s

f
) (1-) g (9H/14) (12)





(
(

|
.
|

\
|
=
3
1 1 ) )( 1 (
H
z
g
dz
dP
f s
c
9
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP








Figure: Line diagram of the experimental set up is shown.



10

PROCEDURE


Rotameter calibration:
- Air was allowed to flow through the Rotameter only for one minute and the
volume of air flow through the wet gas flow meter was noted.
- The procedure was repeated for several different Rotameter readings.


Packed bed
- The Rotameter reading was adjusted to a particular flow rate and the pressure
drop in the packed bed was measured by the manometer.
- The procedure was repeated at different flow rates and the pressure difference
readings were taken for each of the flow rates.
- Fill calibrated beaker with balls used to pack the bed, upto 100 ml mark. Now
pour water from another calibrated beaker upto 100ml mark. Note down the
initial and final reading of the water level in the beaker and thus calculate
voidage.


Fluidized bed
- 100 gm of Resin was weighed and added to the column.
- The initial height of the bed was noted.
- The average height of the bed and the pressure drop were measured using
manometer at different flow rates of air when the bed was fluidized.
- The experiment was repeated with additional 100 gm of Resin followed by
another 100 gm of Resin.


Spouted bed
- 100 gm of Resin was added to the spouted bed.
- The initial height of the bed was noted.
- The average height of bed and the pressure drop were measured using
manometer as a function of flow rate of air.
- The experiment was repeated with additional 100 gm of Resin followed by
another 100 gm of Resin.



11
OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS:

Specifications:
Diameter of Pipe ID = 7.7 cm
Lower Diameter of Conical Section D
in
= 3.4 cm
Length of conic section = 15.7 cm

Density of Air at room temperature
f
= 1.185 kg/m
3

Viscosity of Air at room temperature
f
= 1.8*10
-5
kg/m
3


Diameter of Resin Particle d
p
= 0.0231 cm.
Density of Resin
s
= 2300 kg/m
3


Diameter of Glass beads dp = 6 mm.
Density of Glass beads s = 2500 kg/m
3

Porosity of packed bed = 0.45

Least Counts
- Rotameter Reading M=0.01 units
- Manometer reading H =0.1 cm.
- Scale = 0.1 cm
- Balance=0.01 gm

12
Rotameter Calibration:

Table 1: Rotameter calibration data




Rotameter Reading Divisions Flow Rate ( L/ min ) Flow Rate (10
-4
m
3
/s
)
0.1 380 19.5 3.25
0.2 775 38.75 6.50
0.3 1130 56.5 9.17
0.4 1380 69 12.25
0.5 1990 99.5 15.50






















13


Fig 1: Rotameter Calibration curve













y = 30.25x + 0.259
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
f
l
o
w

r
a
t
e

i
n

(

1
0
^
-
4

m
2
/
s
)

rotameter reading
flow rate
flow rate
Linear (flow rate)

14

FLUIDIZED BED:

Sample Calculation:

Weight of Resin = 100 gm = 0.1 kg

Rotameter Reading = 0.3

Bed height, L = 2.2 cm = 0.022 m

Manometer Reading = 1.1 cm = 0.011 m

Flow Rate = 0.000917 m
3
/s (from calibration curve)

Cross sectional area = 3.14*(0.077)
2
/4 = 4. 654*10
-3
m
2

Superficial velocity = 0.197 m/s

Porosity, e = 1 ((0.1 kg) / ((0.022 m)* (2300 kg/m
3
)*(4.654*10
-3
m
2
)) = 0.575

Reynolds No. = (1.185 kg/m
3
)*(0.197m/s)*(0.000231m) / (1.8*10
-5
Pa.sec) = 2.915

Hence, ln (Re) = 1.0700

Pressure drop, -P = (1590 1.185)*9.8*.011 = 171.27 Pa

Hence, ln (-P) = 5.1432




Table 2: Data for Fluidized Bed with 200 gm Resin

Rotameter
reading
Bed
height
(cm)
Manometer
reading
(cm)
Flow
rate Q
(m
3
/sec)
Superficial
velocity
v
o
(m/s)
Porosity
()
Reynolds
number
(Re)
-P (Pa) ln(Re)
ln(-
P)
0.23 4.70 2.3 0.000721 0.1634 0.3574 2.516 355.81 0.9230 5.8743
0.30 4.75 2.4 0.000933 0.2113 0.3642 3.255 371.28 1.1802 5.9169
0.34 4.90 2.5 0.001054 0.2387 0.3836 3.677 386.75 1.3021 5.9577
0.39 5.0 2.5 0.001205 0.2730 0.3960 4.204 386.75 1.4362 5.9577
0.42 5.1 2.6 0.001296 0.2935 0.4078 4.521 402.22 1.5088 5.9969
15






Fig 2: Plot of ln (-P) vs. ln (Re) for fluidized bed with 100gm
Resin




5.86
5.88
5.9
5.92
5.94
5.96
5.98
6
6.02
1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6
l
n

(

-

d
e
l
t
a

P
)

ln ( Re )
ln( - delta P)
4.64
4.72
4.8
4.88
4.96
5.04
5.12
0.15 0.17 0.19 0.21 0.23 0.25 0.27 0.29 0.31 0.33
b
e
d

h
e
i
g
h
t

(

c
m

)

superficial velocity ( m/s )
bed height vs superficial velocity
16
Fig 3: Bed height vs. superficial velocity for 100 gm Resin in
fluidized bed




Fig 4: Porosity of bed vs. Re for 100 gm Resin in fluidized bed

Calculation of minimum fluidization velocity (v
mf
), fluidization efficiency, Froude
number at v
mf
and Re
p
at =1

Bed weight = 100gm
From fig-3
v
mf, exp
= 0.163 m / s

From equation-3,
v
mf, theo
= (0.000231
2
*(2300 1.185)*9.8*0.575
3
/ (150*(1-0.575)*1.8*10
-5
) = 0.199 m / s

Fluidization efficiency = (0.199 0.163)*100 / 0.199 = 18.09% (using equation-7)

Re
p
(=1) = 7.27 (by extrapolation)
g d
p

=
2
mf
v
number Froude
Froude number = 11.73

0.35
0.36
0.37
0.38
0.39
0.4
0.41
0.42
2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
p
o
r
o
s
i
t
y

(

e

)

reynolds number Re
reynolds number (Re) vs porosity (e)
17


Table 3: Data for Fluidized Bed with 200 gm Resin
Rotameter
reading
Bed
height
(cm)
Manometer
reading (cm)
Flow
rate Q
(m
3
/s)
Superficial
velocity
v
o
(m/s)
Porosity
()
Reynolds
number
(Re)
-P (Pa) ln(Re) ln(-P)
0.21 5.9 2.9 0.000661 0.1497 0.3601 2.3058 448.63 0.8354 6.1061
0.29 6.1 3.0 0.000903 0.2045 0.3811 3.1498 464.1 1.1473 6.1401
0.34 6.3 3.1 0.001054 0.2387 0.4007 3.6773 479.57 1.3021 6.1728
0.39 6.5 3.15 0.001235 0.2798 0.4192 4.3103 487.30 1.4610 6.1888
0.42 6.9 3.15 0.001387 0.3141 0.4528 4.8378 487.30 1.5764 6.1888










Fig 5: Plot of ln (-P) vs. ln (Re) for fluidized bed with 200gm
Resin

6.1
6.125
6.15
6.175
6.2
0.7 1 1.3 1.6 1.9
l
n
(
-
d
e
l
t
a

P
)

ln (Re)
ln(Re) vs ln(-delta P)

18



Fig 6: Bed height vs. superficial velocity for 200 gm Resin in
fluidized bed






Fig 7: Porosity of bed vs. Re for 200 gm Resin in fluidized bed
5.7
6
6.3
6.6
6.9
7.2
0.12 0.15 0.18 0.21 0.24 0.27 0.3 0.33
B
e
d

h
e
i
g
h
t

i
n

(
c
m
)

superficial velocity ( m/s)

bed height vs superficial velocity

0.3
0.35
0.4
0.45
0.5
2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
p
o
r
o
s
i
t
y

(

e

)

reynolds number (Re)
porosity vs reynolds number

19


Calculation of minimum fluidization velocity (v
mf
), fluidization efficiency, Froude
number at v
mf
and Re
p
at =1


Bed weight = 200gm
From fig-6,
v
mf, exp
= 0.160 m / s

From equation-3,
v
mf, theo
= (0.000231
2
*(2300 1.185)*9.8*0.597
3
/ (150*(1-0.597)*1.8*10-5) = 0.235 m / s

Fluidization efficiency = (0.235 0.160)*100 / 0.235 = 31.9% (using equation-7)

Re
p
(=1) = 6.723 (by extrapolation)
g d
p

=
2
mf
v
number Froude
Froude number = 11.3





Table 4: Data for Fluidized Bed with 300 gm Resin
Rotameter
reading
Bed
height
(cm)
Manometer
reading (cm)
Flow rate
Q (m
3
/s)
Superficial
velocity
v
o
(m/s)
Porosity
()
Reynolds
number
(Re)
-P
(Pa)
ln(Re) ln(-P)
0.22 7.1 3.5 0.000691 0.1565 0.3619 2.4113 541.45 0.8801 6.2942
0.3 7.3 3.6 0.000933 0.2113 0.3794 3.2553 556.92 1.1802 6.3224
0.34 7.5 3.7 0.001054 0.2387 0.3960 3.6773 572.39 1.3021 6.3498
0.39 7.7 3.7 0.001205 0.2730 0.4116 4.2048 572.39 1.4362 6.3498
0.45 8.4 3.7 0.001387 0.3141 0.4607 4.8378 572.39 1.5764 6.3498
20




Fig 8: Plot of ln (-P) vs. ln (Re) for fluidized bed with 300gm
Resin




6.25
6.3
6.35
6.4
0.7 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.5 1.7
l
n
(
-

d
e
l
t
a

P
)

ln ( Re)
ln ( - delta P) vs ln (Re)

7
7.4
7.8
8.2
0.15 0.17 0.19 0.21 0.23 0.25 0.27 0.29 0.31 0.33
b
e
d

h
e
i
g
h
t

(
c
m
)

superficial velocity ( m/s )

bed height vs superficial velocity

21
Fig 9: Bed height vs. superficial velocity for 300 gm Resin in
fluidized bed





Fig 10: Porosity of bed vs. Re for 300 gm Resin in fluidized bed


Calculation of minimum fluidization velocity (v
mf
), fluidization efficiency, Froude
number at v
mf
and Re
p
at =1

Bed weight = 300gm
From fig-9,
v
mf, exp
= 0.169 m / s

From equation-3,
v
mf, theo
= (0.000231
2
*(2300 1.185)*9.8*0.618
3
/ (150*(1-0.618)*1.8*10-5) = 0.275 m / s

Fluidization efficiency = (0.275 0.169)*100 / 0.275 = 38.5% (using equation-7)

Re
p
(=1) = 9.422 (by extrapolation)
g d
p

=
2
mf
v
number Froude
Froude number = 12.61

0.3
0.34
0.38
0.42
0.46
0.5
2.2 2.7 3.2 3.7 4.2 4.7 5.2
p
o
r
o
s
i
t
y

(
e
)

reynolds number (Re)
Reynolds number(Re)
vs porosity (e)
22
PACKED BED:
Sample Calculation:

Rotameter Reading = 0.2
Bed Height = 31.5 cm = 0.315 m
Manometer Reading = 0.4 cm = 0.004 m
Flow Rate = 0.00309*0.2-0.00001=0.000608 m3/s
Flow velocity = (0.608*10
-3
m
3
/ sec) / (4.654*10
-3
m
2
) = 0.130 m / sec

Reynolds Number, Re = (1.185 kg/m
3
)*(0.130 m/sec)*(0.006 m)/(1.8*10
-5
Pa.sec) =
51.602

- P/L
p
= (0.004 m)*(9.8 m/sec
2
)*((997 1.185) kg/m
3
) / (0.315 m) = 123.92 Pa / m

f
p, exp
= = (123.92 Pa /m)*0.45
3
*(0.006 m) / ((1-0.45)*( 0.130 m/sec)
2
) = 7.21

f
p, theo
=

= 150*(1-0.45) / 51.602 + 1.75 = 3.348

Table 5: Data for Packed Bed with glass balls as packing material
Rota-
meter
Reading
Manometer
reading
(cm)
Flow
velocity
v
o
(m/s)
Porosity
()
Reynolds
number
(Re)
- P/L
p
(Pa/m)
f
p, exp
=

f
p, theo

0.21 0.4 0.1496 0.45 59.8605 122.13 3.490 3.253
0.26 0.7 0.1838 0.45 73.5546 213.73 4.045 2.973
0.33 1.3 0.2318 0.45 92.7265 396.92 4.727 2.720
0.37 1.6 0.2592 0.45 103.6818 488.52 4.653 2.618
0.40 1.8 0.2797 0.45 111.8983 549.59 4.494 2.554
0.44 2.4 0.3071 0.45 122.8537 732.79 4.971 2.482
0.48 2.8 0.3345 0.45 133.8090 854.92 4.889 2.422
0.50 3.2 0.3482 0.45 139.2867 977.05 5.157 2.396



2
3
) 1 ( v L
d P
p

A
c
c

2
3
) 1 ( v L
d P
p

A
c
c

23


Fig 11: f
p
, exp vs. Re for Packed Bed




Fig 12: Pressure Drop per unit bed length vs. Re for Packed Bed





2
3
4
5
6
50 70 90 110 130 150
f
p

(
t
h
e
o
r
e
t
i
c
a
l
)

&

f
p
(

e
x
p
e
r
i
m
e
n
t
a
l
)

reynolds number(Re)
fp vs Re
f exp
f theo
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
50 70 90 110 130 150
D
e
l
t
a

P
/
L

(
N
/
m
^
3
)

Reynolds number (Re)
Pressure drop/length Vs Re
24
SPOUTED BED:

Sample Calculation:
Rotameter Reading = 0.1
Bed height = 8.6 cm = 0.086m
Manometer Reading = 5.4 cm = 0.054 m


-P = ((1590 1.185) kg/m
3
)*(0.086 m)*9.8 = 840.8 Pa
-P
viscous
= ((2300 1.185) kg/m
3
)*(1-0.685)*9.8*(3*0.054/4) = 457.24 Pa
-P
turbulent
= ((2300 1.185) kg/m
3
)*(1-0.685)*9.8*(9*0.054/14) = 391.92 Pa

Table 6: Data for Spouted Bed with 100 gm Resin

Rotameter
reading
Bed
height
(cm)
Manometer
reading (cm)
Flow
velocity
v
o
(m/s)
Porosity
()
Reynolds
number
(Re)
(-) P
(Pa)
(-)
P
viscous
(Pa)
(-)
P
turbulent

(Pa)
0.12 8.4 5.4 0.1667 0.6666 322.29 835.50 308.14 264.16
0.15 8.6 5.0 0.2056 0.6744 397.50 773.61 315.48 270.45
0.19 8.7 4.8 0.2574 0.6781 497.78 742.66 319.14 273.59
0.25 9.0 4.5 0.3352 0.6888 648.19 696.25 330.15 283.02
0.30 9.2 4.2 0.4001 0.6956 773.54 649.83 337.49 289.31



Fig 14: Porosity vs. Re for 100 gm Resin in Spouted Bed



0.62
0.64
0.66
0.68
0.7
0.72
0.74
0.76
0.78
0.8
0.976962528 1.986599388 2.996236248 4.005873108 5.015509968
Porosity Vs Re
Porosity Vs
Re
25
Using fig 14,
Fluidization occurs at Re = 1.98,

mf
= 0.696



Fig 15: Comparison between -P, -P
viscous
and -P
turbulent
for 100
gm Resin in Spouted Bed




Table 7: Data for Spouted Bed with 200 gm Resin
Rotameter
reading
Bed
height
(cm)
Manometer
reading (cm)
Flow
velocity
v
o
(m/s)
Porosity
()
Reynolds
number
(Re)
(-) P
(Pa)
(-)
P
viscous
(Pa)
(-)
P
turbulent

(Pa)
0.1 11.9 8.8 0.0642 0.545 0.976
1370.194

914.4805

783.840

0. 12.5 7.1 0.1306 0.567 1.986
1105.497

914.4805

783.840

0.3 14.5 6.6 0.1970 0.626 2.996
1027.646

914.4805

783.840

0.4 15.5 6.3 0.2634 0.650 4.005
980.9344

914.4805

783.8404
0.5 17 6.1 0.3298 0.681 5.015
949.7936

914.4805

783.8404



0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
200 400 600 800
d
e
l
t
a

P

(

P
a

)

reynolds number (Re)
delta P vs reynolds number
delta P (viscous)
delta P (turbulent)
delta P ( experimental)
26

Fig 16: Porosity vs. Re for 200 gm Resin in Spouted Bed

Using fig-16,
Fluidization occurs at Re = 2.23,

mf
= 0.588


Fig 17: Comparison between -P, -P
viscous
and -P
turbulent
for 200
gm Resin in Spouted Bed


0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.976962528 1.986599388 2.996236248 4.005873108 5.015509968
Porosity Vs Re
Porosity
Vs Re
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
300 500 700 900 1100
d
e
l
t
a

P

(
P
a
)

reynolds number (Re)
delta P vs reynolds number
delta P (viscous)
delta P (turbulent)
delta P ( experimental)
27



Table 8: Data for Spouted Bed with 300 gm Resin
Rotameter
reading
Bed
height
(cm)
Manometer
reading
(cm)
Flow
velocity
v
o
(m/s)
Porosity
()
Reynolds
number
(Re)
(-) P
(Pa)
(-) P
viscous
(Pa)
(-)
P
turbulent

(Pa)
0.1
14

17.8

0.0642

0.4201

0.976

2771.529

1371.7208

1175.7607

0.2
14.9

8.2

0.1306

0.4551

1.986

1276.772

1371.7208

1175.7607

0.3
16

8

0.1970

0.4925

2.996

1245.631

1371.7208

1175.7607

0.4
17.5

7.8

0.2634

0.5360

4.005

1214.49

1371.7208

1175.7607

0.5
18.5

7.6

0.3298

0.5611

5.015

1183.349

1371.7208

1175.7607







Fig 18: Porosity vs. Re for 300 gm Resin in Spouted Bed

Using fig-18,
Fluidization occurs at Re = 1.986,
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.976962528 1.986599388 2.996236248 4.005873108 5.015509968
Porosity Vs Re
Porosity
Vs Re
28
mf = 0.455


Fig 19: Comparison between -P, -P
viscous
and -P
turbulent
for 300
gm Resin in Spouted Bed



400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1100
1200
1300
400 600 800 1000
d
e
l
t
a

P

reynolds number (Re)
delta P vs reynolds number (Re)
delta P (viscous)
delta P (turbulent)
delta P ( experimental)
29

DISCUSSION:

Packed Bed:
1. Value of f exp first decreases then remains almost constant with Re that is
initially it is in laminar zone then in turbulent zone.
2. There is huge difference between f exp and f theo which might be because of
large experimental error or Erguns equation might not fit into this system.
3. Pressure Drop per unit bed length increases with Re in almost exponential way.

Fluidized Bed:
4. It is found that the pressure first increases, then decreases and then assumes a
constant value (fluidization point) with increase in flow rate for 100gm,200gm
and 300 gm Resin which is in agreement with theory.
5. Porosity initially remains constant until fluidized point then increases almost
linearly with Re .
6. Bed height also remains constant until fluidized point then increases linearly with
superficial velocity . Significant rise in bed height can be observed at the time of
fluidization.
7. The minimum fluidization velocity increased with increase in weight of solid
particles, i.e, increased initial bed height. However, since the experiment was
done for only three initial bed heights, a trend could not be traced.

Spouted Bed:
1. Porosity initially remains constant until fluidized point then increases with Re .
2. Initially there is large difference between experimental and theoretical values of
pressure difference but as Re increases this difference decreases . This
discrepancy may be blamed on the inherently unstable nature of the system. The
manometer readings fluctuate a lot and occasional entrapment of air bubble also
affects the readings. Thus the readings are at best approximate.


30

PRECAUTIONS

- Fluid flow rates are limited to the range over which the bed is fluidized. If the
velocity is much higher than Vmf, there can be excessive loss of material carried
out from the bed and there may also be unacceptable particle damage due to
excessive operating velocity.
- The Bed height and the readings in the manometer should be carefully
measured since it can introduce large amount of human error.
- When a particular bed is being studied, we must ensure that all the valves of the
other two beds are closed.


ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

Fluidized Bed

A1. Advantages and Disadvantages of fluidization:
The chief advantage of fluidization are that the solid is vigorously agitated by the fluid
passing through the bed, and the mixing of the solid ensures that there are practically
no temperature gradients in the bed even with quite exothermic or endothermic
reactions.
The main disadvantage of gas-solid fluidization is the uneven contacting of gas and solid.
Erosion of vessel internals
Attrition of solids: Because of attrition, the size of the solid particles is getting reduced
and possibility for entrapment of solid particles with the fluid is more.

A2. When fluidizing Resin with water, the particles move further apart and their motion
becomes more vigorous as the velocity is increased, but the bed density at a given
velocity is same in all sections of the bed. This is called particulate fluidization and is
characterized by a large but uniform expansion of the bed at high velocities.
Beds of solids fluidized with air usually exhibit what is called aggregative or bubbling
fluidization. At superficial velocities much greater than V
mf
most of the gas passes
through the bed as bubbles or voids which are almost free of solids, and only a small
fraction of the gas flows in the channels between the particles.
And Froudes number is F
r
= V/d
p
*g V= Superficial Velocity
d
p
=particle diameter g=acceleration due to gravity

31
A3. Yes, type of distributor does matter. A good distributor is one which is
compatible to the particle size and can create maximum pressure drop for given flow
rate.

A4. The simplest description of the expansion of a bubbling fluidized bed is derived
from the Two-Phase Theory of fluidization of Toomey and Johnstone (1952). This theory
considers the bubbling fluidized bed to be composed of two phases; the bubbling phase
(the gas bubbles) and the particulate phase (the fluidized solids around the bubbles).
The particulate phase is also referred to as the emulsion phase. The theory states that
any gas in excess of that required at incipient fluidization will pass through the bed as
bubbles. Thus, in bubbling fluidization, bed expansion at velocities beyond minimum
bubbling velocity is due to the presence of bubbles.


A5. Yes, under similar condition the conversion in fluidized bed is more than the fixed
bed because the contact surface area increases as well as the conditions are
uniformly distributed in the fluidized bed.

Spouted Bed

A1. Gasification, bed dryers, used for plastic recycle and catalytic decomposition.

A2. In spouted bed the fluid flow is upward and density of particle is low while in moving
bed the density of particle is and flow direction is downwards.

A3. Minimum spouting velocity is the superficial velocity of the fluid at which spouting
starts. Maximum spouting velocity is the superficial velocity of the fluid at which
spouting seizes and turn to fluidized bed. Maximum spouting pressure drop
corresponding to maximum spouting velocity.

Packed Bed

A1. The pressure drop decreases if the size of particle is increased.

A2. The maximum diameter of sphere can be the diameter of the tube.

A3. If packing is made of particle of diameter D1 and D2 then the porosity will not be
uniform. Average porosity will be in between the porosity of that of D1 and D2. If
porosity increases then pressure drop decreases.



32
NOMENCLATURE

AP Pressure Drop in a Bed N/m
2

AP
theoretical
Theoretical Drop in a Bed N/m
2

AH Difference in the level of fluid in manometer. cm

f
Density of fluid flowing in the Column. Kg/m
3

s
Density of solid packed in the column. Kg/m
3
Void Fraction or Porosity

mf
Void Fraction at minimum fluidization.

f
Viscosity of Fluid. Pa-s.

A Cross Section Area of Column. cm
2

d
p
Diameter of Resin particles. cm
D
in
Inner Diameter of Spouted Column. cm
D Diameter of Column. cm
g acceleration due to gravity.m/s
2
F
r
Froudes Number
Q Volumetric Flow Rate. lit/s
Re
p
Reynolds Number of particle.
V
0
Superficial Velocity. cm/s
V
mf
Velocity at minimum fluidization. cm/s
W
s
Weight of the bed
F
p
, f Friction factor


33


REFERENCES
*1+. McCabe W. and Smith J.C., Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering, 4
th
Edition,
McGraw Hill, New York, (1985).

*2+. Fan S. and Liang, Principles of solid-gas flows, Cambridge University Press, pg 223-
226, 1998.

[3] http://inls.ucsd.edu/grain/fluidbed/

[4] http://www.cesiweb.com/images/fig2.gif

[5]. Mcketta J.J., Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing and Design, Marcel Dekker, pg
56-61, 1985

*6+. Yang W.C., Handbook of Fluidization and Fluid-Particle Systems, Marcel Dekker, pg
65-80, 2003.

*7+. Gupta, S.K., Momentum Transfer Operations, Tata McGraw-Hill Publishers, 1979.

*8+. Perry, J.H. (Editor), Chemical Engineering Handbook, 4
th
Ed., McGraw Hill, 1963