ABSTRACT\SUMMARY

This experiment is about fluidization of a bed of solid by passing a fluid, usually a

gas upwards through a bed of particles supported on a distributor. Fluidization or
fluidizing, converts a bed of solid particles into an expanded mass that has many
properties of a liquid. As a fluid is passed upward through a bed of particles, pressure loss
due to frictional resistance increases as fluid flow increases. At a point, whereby the
upward drag force exerted by the fluid on the particle equal to apparent weight of
particles in the bed, fluidization occurs.
The size of solid particle which can be fluidized varies greatly from less than
1µ m to 6cm. It is generally concluded that particles distributed in sizes between 150µ m
and 10µ m are the best for smooth fluidization (least formation of large bubbles). Large
particles cause instability and result in slugging or massive surges. Small particles (less
than 20µ m) frequently even though dry, act as if damp, forming agglomerates or fissures
in the bed, or spouting. Adding finer sized particles to a coarse bed or coarse sized
particles to a bed of fines usually results in better fluidization.
the upward velocity of the gas is usually between 0.15m/s and 6m/s. This
velocity is based upon the flow through the empty vessel as is referred to as the
superficial velocity. As the velocity of flow increases, the particles rearrange themselves
to offer less resistance to the fluid flow and the bed will tend to expand unless it is
composed of large particles (mean diameter > 1mm). The expansion continues until a
stage is reached where the drag force exerted on the particles will be sufficient to support
the weight of the particles in the bed. The fluid/particle systems then begin to exhibit
fluid like properties and it will flow under the influence of a hydrostatic head. This is the
point of incipient fluidization and the gas velocity needed to achieve this is referred to as
the minimum fluidization velocity, Umf.
Beyond this velocity, the pressure drop across the bed will be approximately
equal to the weight of the bed per unit area. The effective∆ P excludes the hydrostatic
pressure drop across the bed which can be neglected in gas fluidized systems operating at
atmospheric pressure. It is likely, however that this pressure drop will be exceeded just
prior to fluidization with gas fluidized systems in order to overcome cohesive forces between the

particles and break down the residual packing and interlocking of particles

within the bed.

The behavior of fluidization is depends on the types of the particles composed in
the vessel. Geldart (1973) classified powders into four groups according to their
fluidization properties at ambient condition. There are 4 stages of particles that are (A)
aerated, (B) bubble, (C) cohesive and (D) dense. In this experiment, we are considering
with a coarse sand which is in group B, Ballotini which is in group A and Glutinous flour
which is in group C.
From this experiment, we can obtain the bed expansion, bed pressure drop and the
flow rate of the fluid. By the equation given in the theory, superficial gas velocity, Umf
andεmf for all cases can be calculated. Then only, we plotted two graphs which are bed
pressure drop against superficial gas velocity and bed expansion against superficial gas
velocity for all cases. The Umf predicted from the graph then is being compared with the
calculated one.
INTRODUCTION
The upward flow of fluid through a bed of particles is a situation encountered
both in nature, as with the natural movement of ground water, crude petroleum or natural
gas, through porous media, and in industrial operations such as backwashing filters, ion-
exchange processes, extraction of soluble components from raw materials and for certain
types of chemical reactor. It is well known that if the particles are loosely packed and the
pressure drop due to the flow through the bed is equivalent to the weight of the bed, the
phenomenon of fluidization occurs. The fluidized state occurs naturally is so-called
‘quick sand’ and industrially, use is made of the high rate of solids mixing that
accompanies fluidization for various operations such as drying, coating, heat transfer and
chemical reaction.
This equipment is designed to allow the study of the characteristics of flow
through both fixed and fluidized bed of solid particles. Although the majority of fixed
and fluidized bed situations encountered by practicing engineers are three dimensional, in
order that students can readily observe the important phenomenon of bubbling that occurs
in gas-solid systems when the gas velocity is in the excess of that required for
fluidization. The transparent walls allow studies to be made of bubble behavior in the
gas-solid system.

OBJECTIVES
There are three objectives of doing the fluidization experiment:
∗ To determine the pressure drop and bed expansion through a fixed and
fluidized bed.
∗ To verify the Ergun equation (1952), Wen & Yu equation (1966) and
Baeyens & Geldart equation (1977).
∗ To observe the onset of fluidization

THEORY
a)Pressure drop across the bed,∆ P
In order to determine the pressure drop through a fixed bed fro any flow
condition, the Ergun equation (1952) can be used:
PROCEDURE

1.
Firstly, identify the apparatus used for the experiment whether it is in good
condition or else it might affect the data taken from the experiment.
2.
Then, the column of the fluidized bed is filled to a height of 150 mm with the
coarse grade sand.
3.
Next, switch on the air pump and the control valve is adjusted to give the flow rate
of 2.0 l/min.
4.
The flow rate is then increased by 1.0l/min.
5.
The bed expansion, manometer reading and the state of the bed is recorded in each
of the increasing flow rate.
6.
The entire experiment is repeated by using Ballotini and Glutinous flour.
7.
Lastly, the volume of the particles is taken by weighing it, in order to determine the
bulk particle density.
8.
All data are recorded in tables form for easier observations.

APPARATUS
DISCUSSIONS
Fluidization is a process when a fluid is passed upward trough a bed of particlesthe
pressure loss in the fluid due to the frictional resistance with increases with increasingfluid flow.
A point is reached when the upward drag force exerted by the fluid on theparticles is equal to the
apparent weight of particles in the bed. At this point the particlesare lifted by the fluid, the
separation of the particle increases, and the bed becomefluidized. The superficial fluid velocity at
which the packed bed becomes a fluidized bedis known as the minimum fluidization velocity.
This velocity increases with particle sizeand particle density and is affected by fluid properties.
For the first types of particles which is coarse grade sand, the graph shows a
littleincreasementin the pressure drop when the superficial velocity gas also increase.
Thefluidization starts when it reaches minimum fluidization velocity which is about 0.0715m/s.
The second type is finer sand or ballotini, from the graph we can saw that thepressure
drop also increase as the superficial gas velocity increased. For this case, theminimum
fluidization velocity is 0.0682m/s. For this two types of particles, bubblescontinue to grow, never
achieving a maximum size.
Lastly is the glutinous flour, fluidization did not occur in this case. The bed
notexpanding and resist aeration. This is because the flour is cohesive and the structure is
sostrong upon fluidization. Beside that, it also because the interaction force between theparticles
is strong if compared to the hydronamic force by the fluiding gas.
For Glutinous Flour, fluidization did not occur because group C particles
exhibitcohesive tendencies. The structures are so strong which upon fluidization, cracks and
rathole is form and at a given pressure different, the bed not expanding and resist aeration.16
Other than that, it is very difficult to fluidize because the inter particle forces is higher
than hydrodynamic forces exerted on the particles by the fluidizing gas. However, group
C fluidization can be improved by mechanical help such as include a vibrator or a mixer.
Lastly, for bed voidage at minimum fluidization velocity, εmf for sand is 0.321387
while εmf for Ballotini is 0.383097. This shows that bed voidage for Ballotini is higher and
makes it more porous than sand.

CONCLUSIONS
1.
The minimum fluidizing velocity, Umf for coarse grade sand is 0.0715m/s while Umf
for Ballotini is 0.0682m/s.
2.
The voidage at minimum fluidizing velocity,εmf for coarse grade sand is 0.321387
whileεmf for Ballotini is 0.383097.
3.
The bed expansion and the pressure drop of the particle are proportional to the
superficial velocity of the gas supply
Students should be able to utilize appropriate conversion factors to ensure
consistency of units when making calculations.
 ∗
Students should read and have a brief idea of what is going on in the
experiment by reading the lab manual or other reference book for better
understanding.
∗
Make sure that the apparatus is in good condition for better operation.
REFERENCES
1.Fluidized beds Combustion and Applications.
Edited by J.R.Howard,
Department of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Aston in Birmingham,
United Kingdom.
Applied Science Publishers London and New York.
2.
Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook, Seventh Edition
Edited by Robert H. Perry and Don W. Green,
McGraw-Hill International Edition,
Chemical Engineering Series.