Fluidization of Solids with Liquid Water

ChE 1014

Balcony of SB 92

August 26, 2002

I. Introduction

Fluidization has been an integral part in chemical engineering processes since the 1940’s.
Fluidized beds became widely known with petroleum cracking beds, which utilized
fluidization to significantly enhance the efficiency of the petroleum industry. In addition,
polymers production, coal combustion, aquatics, and the food industry now involve the
use of fluidization.

Fluidization is the interaction between a liquid (or gas) and solid in which the solid
moves freely throughout a bed. Important parameters in the analysis of the fluidized bed
include properties of both the liquid and solids stream. All the parameters listed below
affect fluidization. These include:

!"Particle diameter
!"Particle shape
!"Liquid density (in this lab – water)
!"Particle density
!"Porosity
!"Liquid viscosity

Thus, properties of both the liquid and solids stream affect fluidization behavior.

This experiment will study liquid/solid fluidization, also known as particulate

fluidization. Particulate fluidization utilizes an upward flow of liquid to fluidize a bed of
solid particles. Fluidization is the point at which a packed bed of solids begins to exhibit
fluid-like properties, such as movement of the solid particles in the bed and the expansion
of the bed. This is shown in Figure 1 by the label Vmf, which is the minimum fluidization
velocity. Fluidization occurs when the upward and downward forces on the particles are
equal. The downward force is defined as the force of gravity minus the buoyancy force of
the particle. The upward flowing liquid exerts a drag force (the upward force) on the
particles. Once the liquid velocity is increased to a certain value, the drag force is equal to
the weight of the bed and the solid particles begin to rise and undergo fluidization. The
liquid velocity at the point at which particles just begin to fluidize is known as the
minimum fluidization velocity.

There are also two main types of particulate fluidization, turbulent and slugging.
Turbulent and slugging behaviors are determined by pressure drop after fluidization
Figure 1 represents a situation where the fluidization type is exclusively turbulent while
Figure 2 represents a situation where the fluidization type is only slugging.

In particulate fluidization, the solid particles are continuously agitated and mixed. The
particles act independently from one another in a liquid/solid system as opposed to a
gas/liquid system, where the particles tend to stick together. Once the liquid supply is
shut off, the solids settle back to their original position. If the solid particles are forced to
the top of the column due to fluid flowing faster than the particles settling velocity, the
particles at this point are no longer fluidized but are acting as a packed bed.

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Figure 1

Pressure Drop vs. Water Velocity

6
Pressure Drop (kPa)

5
4
3
2 turbulent
packed
1 bed Vmf

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
Water Velocity (m/s)

Figure 2

Pressure Drop vs. Water Velocity

5
Pressure Drop (kPa)

4
Vmf
3
2 packed bed
1 slugging

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Water Velocity (m/s)

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II. Objectives

The primary objectives of this experiment are to (1) witness fluidization in all columns,
and (2) to compare the effects of the varying parameters on fluidization. Each column
should be operated by the student to obtain experimental data of the following:

1. Liquid flow rate via the large rotameter. (Do not use the small or medium
rotameter. Both do not provide enough flow to fluidize the columns.)
2. Pressure drop from differential pressure transducer.
3. Particle bed height using the scales on equipment. (Remember to record the bed
height before fluidization begins.)

Each of the aforementioned parameters should be measured when the particles have not
reached their minimum fluidization velocity and when the particles are fluidized.

Once all the data is collected, three graphs for each trial should be composed.

!"Pressure Drop (kPa) vs. Water Velocity (m/s) – (ex. Figure 1, 2, 5, & 8)
!"Bed Height (m) vs. Water Velocity (m/s) – (ex. Figure 6 & 9)
!"Friction factor vs. Reynold’s Number – (comparable to Figure 7)

Data should be recorded twice to show reproducibility.

III. Governing Equations and Example

Fortunately, the governing equations for this lab are simple. They are entirely based on
Fluid Mechanics. The flow through the pipe is based on the Reynold’s number (Eqn 1.1),
a unitless number. Knowing the Reynold’s number, the liquid flow type can be classified
as laminar or turbulent flow. If the Reynold’s number is below 2,000, the fluid flow is
said to be laminar. When the flow is above 3,000, the fluid flow is turbulent. Between
2,000 and 3,000 the fluid flow is transitioning between laminar and turbulent flow.
Since, the Reynold’s number is representative of the fluid flow only, its definition is
changed from a typical Reynold’s number calculation in Equation 1.1 to Equation 1.2.
Equation 1.2 compensates for the solid particles to give a more accurate Reynold’s
number.

Re= (dpipe*Uliquid*ρliquid)/µ liquid - Eqn 1.1

Re= (dpipe*ε*Uliquid*ρliquid)/µ liquid - Eqn 1.2

In Figure 3, the Reynold’s number is transitioned 18,790 around the fluidization point.
This represents a turbulent flow. The parameters at the Vmf, minimum fluidization
velocity, is highlighted and bolded.

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The pressure drop from no flow to the minimum fluidization is determined by slowly
increasing the liquid flowrate, measuring the pressure drop across the fixed bed, and
collecting flowrate-∆P data until the particles just begin to fluidize. The pressure drop
when the particles just begin to fluidize is the pressure drop required for minimum
fluidization. The pressure drop to achieve minimum fluidization in column two is 0.1 psi
(Figure 3).

Figure 3

Bed Height (m)

DP (psi) Ave. Max Min U (m/sec) Re f
0 0.13462 0
0.02 0.13462 0.165776 6263.436 0.092209
0.04 0.13462 0.276294 10439.06 0.06639
0.07 0.13462 0.394705 14912.94 0.05693
0.1 0.13462 0.497328 18790.31 0.051227
0.11 0.17145 0.18415 0.15875 0.631528 23860.71 0.034946
0.12 0.231775 0.26035 0.2032 0.876245 33106.73 0.019802
0.14 0.2794 0.3048 0.254 0.96308 36387.58 0.019124
0.15 0.3048 0.3302 0.2794 1.034127 39071.91 0.017772
0.19 0.43815 0.4826 0.3937 1.294633 48914.45 0.014363
0.38 0.5461 0.5715 0.5207 1.468303 55476.15 0.022333
0.48 0.6731 0.7112 0.635 1.57882 59651.77 0.024398

The pressure drop data can also be expressed in terms of a friction factor:

f = (∆P*dpipe*ε3)/(L*ρliquid*U2*(1-ε)) - Eqn 1.3

where ε is the voidage fraction, which is ~0.476 for spherical particles at minimum
fluidization.

Once the liquid velocity is increased beyond the velocity of minimum fluidization, two
types of solid behavior are possible, turbulent and the slugging (shown in Figures 1 & 2 ).
If the differential pressure along the length of the column remains relatively constant with
increasing velocity after fluidization has begun, the fluidization is known as turbulent
fluidization (see Figure 1). Turbulent fluidization gives a constant bed height at a
constant liquid velocity greater than the minimum fluidization velocity with continuous
agitation and mixing. This differs from slugging fluidization, where there is not a
constant bed height at a constant velocity. In a slugging fluidization, the bed height
oscillates continually, even at a constant liquid flow rate. Slugging fluidization is also
characterized by increasing differential pressure with increasing velocity beyond
minimum fluidization velocity (see Figure 2). In addition, there are alternating regions of
packed solid slugs and nearly solid-empty slugs giving the appearance of a deck of cards
being shuffled. Please note that during slugging fluidization, the bottom layer of solids
always undergoes turbulent fluidization.

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Fluidization is composed of stages. Figure 4 details these stages. This information will
help you construct the previously mentioned graphs (Figure 1 & 2) and the following
graphs.

Figure 4

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4

Stage 1, Packed bed behavior, U<Vmf

Stage 2, Point of minimum fluidization, U=Vmf
Stage 3, Fluidization, Vt>U>Vmf (turbulent and/or slugging)
Stage 4, Packed bed behavior, Vt<U

* Note: Stage four cannot be achieved for all columns and columns 4,8, & 10 exhibit
fluidization behavior, but do not show a pressure drop.*

An example of fluidization is shown in Figure 5 and 6 (Felice pg. 256). Figure 5 shows a
plot of water velocity vs. pressure drop for an experiment using a lead shot. The pressure
drop increases with increasing velocity up until the point of Vmf (point A on Figure 5).
After the Vmf, the pressure drop initially continues to increase with increasing water
velocity, hence slugging fluidization. As the water velocity continues to increase even
more, the pressure drop eventually begins to decrease as the system is making the
transition from slugging to turbulent. Finally, the pressure drop remains constant with
increasing velocity as it reaches the turbulent regime (point B on Figure 1). Figure 6
focuses on the water velocity versus pressure drop for the same plot and also allows for
visibility of the transition from slugging to turbulent fluidization.

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Figure 5

Slugging Turbulent
Vmf

Figure 6

Slugging
Vmf

Turbulent

Also, plot friction factor verses Reynold’s number. The results should correlate with
Figure 7. Due to increased fluidization behavior, all points should lie between the
isolated sphere and smooth pipe boundaries. With increased velocity, the values should
approach the smooth pipe boundary. Why is this? If your values do not approach the
smooth pipe boundary, explain why.

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Figure 7

Once all the data is collected, the three graphs should be composed.

!"Pressure Drop (kPa) vs. Water Velocity (m/s) – (ex. Figure 1, 2, 5, & 8)
!"Bed Height (m) vs. Water Velocity (m/s) – (ex. Figure 6 & 9)
!"Friction factor vs. Reynold’s Number – (comparable to Figure 7)

A specific example to this experiment is detailed below. The second column is filled
with large glass beads and the data should be comparable to the following graphs.

Figure 8

Column 2: Large Glass Beads

Pressure Drop vs. Water Velocity

4
Pressure Drop (kPa)

3
V mf Trial 1
2 turbulent
slugging packing Trial 2
1 packed bed

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8
Water Velocity (m/s)

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 Figure 9

Column 2: Large Glass Beads

Bed Height vs. Water Velocity

0.8
Bed Height (m)

0.6 Vmf
0.4 turbulent Trial 1
slugging packing Trial 2
0.2 packed bed
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8
Water Velocity (m/s)

IV. Equipment Description

The fluidized bed is composed of ten columns. Excluding column one, each column has
solid material in it. The amount of material placed in each column is different to ensure
fluidization. Remember to record the amount of material placed in the column before
running the experiment.

Figure 10 Top Pressure Valve

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Bottom Pressure
Valve
Water Flow
In (from
Rotameters)

Water Valve

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Figure 11

Column#/ Mass of dsolid particles dsolid particles Shape

Particles Particles (kg/m3 ) (cm)
(kg)
1/Empty 0 none NA none
2/Large Glass Beads 0.42 2600 1.0 spherical
3/Large Stainless Steel Balls 1.35 7760 1.5 spherical
4/Medium Stainless Steel 1.58 7760 0.6 spherical
Balls
5/Small Glass Beads 0.42 2600 0.5 spherical
6/Small Stainless Steel Balls 1.40 7900 0.3 spherical
7/Lead Spheres 0.46 11300 0.8 spherical
8/Ceramic Particles 0.45 3260 1.1 cylindrical

9/Coal Particles 1.04 1800 0.2 Spherical

10/Copper Particles 0.67 8230 0.3 spherical

* Note: Columns 4, 8, & 10 exhibit fluidization but do not have a measurable pressure
drop.*

V. Procedure

1. Turn the power on. The switch is located above the pressure gauges.
2. Make sure that all of the pressure valves on each of the columns are closed.
There are two for each column. One at the top of the column and one at the
bottom. See equipment description.
3. Make sure that all of the water valves are closed on each column.
4. Pull the yellow level, behind the large rotameter, to the “on” position to feed
water to the system.
5. Open the pressure valves, both the top and bottom on, on desired column. Start
with column 1.
6. Open the gate valve to the desired column. (The gate valve is the red valve
underneath the column that allows the water to flow into the column.)
7. Slowly increase the water flow rate.

Note: If water flow rate is increased too fast, the pressure transducer can be ruined.

8. Record the pressure drop for a minimum of 10 flow rates (even with column one
where there is no solid particulate.) Make sure to get a reading at the zero
velocity mark in case adjustments need to be made. The pressure is measured in
psi.

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 9. Decrease the flow rate of the liquid to zero.
10. Close the pressure valves and the water valve for column 1.
11. Open the pressure valves and the water valve for column 2 (large glass beads).
12. Very slowly increase the water flow rate.
13. Record the pressure drop, flow rate, and fluidization characteristics of the column
(packed bed, turbulent, or slugging).
14. Please note that until minimum fluidization is reached, the solid acts as a packed
bed as shown in Section III: Governing Equations and Examples.
15. At the point where the particles barely begin to fluidize (rise), record the flow rate
and pressure drop. This is the point of minimum fluidization.
16. Continue to slowly increase the water flow rate, recording the bed height, pressure
drop, and fluidization characteristics for at least 10 flow rates. If slugging
fluidization takes place, record the average bed height.
17. For each column, continue recording until the maximum flow rate of 25 on the
large rotameter is achieved.
18. If the column begins to pack at the top, record the flow rate and all 3 pressure
readings at that point and label it as a “packed bed” again.
19. Slowly decrease the water flow rate to zero to allow the particles to settle down to
the bottom of the column.
20. Close the pressure valves and the water valve of column 2 (large glass beads).
21. Repeat the process for all ten columns.

Shut-down

1. Close pressure valves for all ten columns.

2. Close the liquid valves for all ten columns.
3. Decrease all rotameters to zero.

VI. Nomenclature

dsolid diameter of solid particle m

dpipe diameter of the pipe m
ε voidage fraction unitless
f friction factor unitless
L Length of column m
µliquid liquid viscosity kg/ms
∆P Pressure Drop kPa
3
ρsolid density of solid kg/m
3
ρliquid desity of liquid kg/m
U liquid velocity m/s
Vmf minimum fluidization velocity m/s

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VII. References

Felice, Renzo Di., Powder Technology123: Liquid fluidized beds in slugging mode:
pressure drop and flow regime transition, pg. 254-261, Universita degli Studi di
Genova, Genova, Italy, 2002

Perry et al. Perry’s Chemical Engineering Handbook. 7th ed. McGraw Hill Company.
1997

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