F2 1 Fluidized Bed

Hydrodynamics of Fluidized Bed
OBJECTIVE
To study the flow through the fluidized bed.
AIM
a) To calculate the pressure drop per unit length of bed
b) To determine the velocity of fluid at incipient fluidization
THEORY
Fluidization, or fluidizing, converts a bed of solid particles into an expanded, suspended mass
that has many properties of a liquid. This is one of the methods available for contacting granular
solids with fluids. A fluidized bed provides a higher interfacial surface area of contact and high
transfer rates. When a fluid passes upward through a bed of solids, there will be a certain pressure
drop across the bed required to maintain the fluid flow.
Fluidized Bed
D
B
log (pressure drop)
log (fluid velocity)
Fig. Pressure drop vs fluid velocity on a log-log plot

At low fluid velocities, there is a pressure drop across the bed but the solid bed is static (curve
AB). As the fluid velocity is gradually increased; a certain velocity is reached when the bed starts
expanding. At this point, the pressure drop across the bed equals the mass per unit area of the bed.
This point is known as point of incipient fluidization (Point B). The pressure drop is maximum at
B. Once the particles are separated, pressure required to maintain fluidization is less as indicated
by Point C. As the velocity is further increased the pressure drop remains constant until the bed
assumes a loosest stable form of packing (Point D). The nature of fluidization can be predicted
by the Froude’s Number (V²/g Dp). If Fr. No. 1 Aggregative fluidization.
Pressure drop across a fixed bed is given by Ergun’s equation:
∆𝑃 𝜀 3 𝐷𝑝 150(1 − 𝜀)𝜇
= (1)
𝜌𝑍 (1 − 𝜀) 𝑉 2 𝑉𝐷𝑝2 𝜑 2
At the onset of fluidization, the pressure drop across the bed equals the weight of bed per unit
area of cross section.
∆𝑃
= 𝑔(𝜌𝑝 − 𝜌)(1 − 𝜀) (2)
𝑍
Minimum fluidization velocity is given by,
𝜀 3 𝑔(𝜌𝑝 − 𝜌)𝐷𝑝2 𝜑 2
𝑉𝑚 = (3)
150(1 − 𝜀)𝜇
APPARATUS
The apparatus consists of a glass column packed with spherical glass beads and the water flows
through the rotameter, fitted in pipeline. Sump tank with pump is provided for water circulation
Pressure tapings are taken out from inlet and outlet pressure, are connected to a differential
manometer. Discharge is measured with the help of rotameter.
UTILITIES REQUIRED
a) Electricity Supply: Single Phase, 220 V AC, 50 Hz, 5-15 Amp combined socket with earth
connection. Earth voltage should be less than 5 volts
b) Floor Area Required: 0.75 m x 0.75 m
c) CCl4 with Iodine pellet for manometer: 100 ml
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
a) Close all the valves V1-V8
b) Fill sump tank 3/4th of its capacity with water
c) Fill CCl4 in the manometer by opening air vent valves V5-V6 & then close both the
valves
d) Open by-pass valve V2
e) Connect electric supply to the set-up
f) Switch ON the pump
g) Open valve V1 and set the flow rate to maximum value
h) Release the air by opening pressure tapping valve V3-V4 corresponding air vent valve
V5-V6
i) Close air vent valves V5-V6
j) Set the flow of water by control valve V1 and by pass valve V2 and rotameter
k) Note down the initial height of bed in column
l) Record the flow rate of water
m) Note down the manometer reading by opening pressure tapping valve V3 and V4
n) Repeat the experiment for different flow rate of water
CLOSING PROCEDURE
a) When experiment is over switch OFF the pump
b) Switch OFF the power supply
c) Drain the column and sump tank by open the valves V7-V8
PRECAUTION & MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Never run the apparatus if power supply is less than 180 volts and more than 230 volts
2. Never close completely the delivery line and by-pass line valves simultaneously
3. To prevent clogging of moving parts, run pump at least once in a fortnight
4. Use grease/oil frequently on the rotating parts, once in three months
5. Always use clean water
6. If apparatus will not in use for more than one month, drain the apparatus completely, and
fill the pump with cutting oil
7. Always keep apparatus free from dust
SPECIFICATIONS/KNOWN DATA
Inside column diameter, D 0.048 m
Gravitational acceleration, g 9.81 m/s2
Density of manometric fluid, ρm 1570 kg/m3
Density of water, ρw 1000 kg/m3
OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION
OBSERVATION TABLE
S. No Z (m) Q (LPH) R1 (cm) R2 (cm)

1
2
3
4
CALCULATIONS
𝜋𝐷2
A= m2
4
𝑄×10−3
V= m/s
3600×𝐴
𝑅2 −𝑅1
R=
100
∆𝑃 = 𝑔(𝜌𝑝 − 𝜌)𝑅
∆𝑃𝑧 = ∆𝑃⁄𝑍
EXPECTED RESULTS
a) Plot ∆𝑃 vs fluid velocity on a log-log plot. Find minimum fluidization velocity from the
plot
b) Plot Z vs fluid velocity on a log-log plot
c) Plot ∆𝑃/𝑍 vs fluid velocity on a log-log plot
NOMENCLATURE
Nom Column Heading Unit Type

A Cross-sectional area of flow m2 Calculated
D Inside diameter of column m Given
g Gravitational acceleration m2 /s Given
Q Volumetric flow rate LPH Measured
R1-R2 Manometer height cm Measured
V Fluid velocity m/s Calculated
Z Bed height m Measured
∆𝑃 Pressure drop N/m3 Calculated
∆𝑃/𝑍 Pressure drop per unit length N/m2 Calculated
ρm Density of manometer fluid kg/m3 Given
ρw Density of water kg/m3 Given
R Difference in manometer height cm Calculated
TROUBLESHOOTING
1. If pump gets jam, open the back cover of pump and rotate the shaft manually
2. If pump gets heat up, switch OFF the main power for 15 minutes and avoid closing the flow
control valve and by pass valve simultaneously during operation
REFERENCES
1. McCabe, Warren L. Smith, Julian C. Harriott, Peter (2005). Unit Operations of Chemical
Engineering. 7 th Ed. NY: McGraw-Hill. pp 177-182
2. Foust, Alan S. Wenzel, Leonard A. Clump, Curtis W. Maus, Louis Andersen, L. Bryce (1980).
Principles of Unit Operations. 2 nd Ed. NY: John Wiley & Sons. pp 642-64
SCHEMATIC OF THE EXPERIMENTAL SET UP

F2 1 Fluidized Bed

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Hydrodynamics of Fluidized Bed

log (fluid velocity)

Fig. Pressure drop vs fluid velocity on a log-log plot

PRECAUTION & MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION

S. No Z (m) Q (LPH) R1 (cm) R2 (cm)

Nom Column Heading Unit Type

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